Another pivotal game in the battle to secure Champions League football is on the cards for Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea as Everton make the visit to West London.
Tuchel’s men had emerged victorious over the misfiring Liverpool last time around in Premier League action, with a first-half strike from Mason Mount earning a well-deserved win for the Blues from their outing on Merseyside.
Coming up against another Merseyside club, Chelsea would need to get the tempo running in order to secure a victory on their own patch and the fourth-placed Blues are due to face a stern test from the fifth-placed visitors.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have exceeded expectations with their showings over the course of this campaign and with the Toffees occupying a higher position in the standings than their city foes Liverpool, Ancelotti has made his side’s intentions clear over qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition.
Wins against fellow challengers for the top-four spot would provide a shot in the arm for Chelsea and Tuchel knows that come Monday, another win for the west Londoners would do them good in the widely-contested battle for ensuring participation in next season’s Champions League campaign.
Everton head into the forthcoming fixture on the back of three consecutive wins across top-flight football and considering that Ancelotti’s high-flying men have not even conceded one in each of their last three outings, Chelsea would have a major task on their hands when taking on a seemingly formidible opponent.
WHEN & WHERE?
Up next: Everton! ✊#CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/SCbQHFHZos
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2021
Date: Monday 8 March
Time: 7 PM GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Thiago Silva’s return to training earlier this week could mean that the veteran defender would be in line to be included in the matchday squad for Monday’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
Andreas Christensen appreciation tweet.
Top class on Thursday night! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qs6qoqHTUh
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2021
He had been missing from the Liverpool win and with his deputy Andreas Christensen proving able in each of his last two games as the centre-back option alongside Antonio Rudiger, Tuchel would need to decide who turns to be the long-term option in his plans.
Another doubt for the hosts for the game against Everton could be striker Tammy Abraham, with the England international reportedly sustaining an ankle issue.
Jorginho’s impressive showing in the centre of the park for the Blues last time around could ensure another start for the Italy international midfielder ahead of Mateo Kovacic.
KEY BATTLE
Timo Werner vs Yerry Mina
Werner was at his best off the ball in the midweek showdown at Anfield but the German striker’s efforts to get his name on the scoresheet proved futile, with both Liverpool No.1 Alisson Becker and VAR turning foes for the former RB Leipzig man.
The 25-year-old needs to up his game for the Blues in light of recent showings and with Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham just below the German in the pecking order, a confident display against Everton would be a major relief for Werner’s stuttering start to life in west London.
Everton central defender Yerry Mina is one name that has been ever influential for the Toffees this season and the Columbian international’s recent run of form suggests that Timo Werner and Co. have a tough task at hand in getting the better of the in-form Evertonian.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
Another narrow 1-0 win is predicted by us for Chelsea when they take on Everton in the Premier League.
The Blues have not proved to be firing on the attacking front and the upcoming visitors to Stamford Bridge have maintained a tough-looking backline, ensuring an evenly contested game could be on the cards come Monday.
