Chelsea play hosts to Merseyside outfit Everton on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge with the Blues hoping to keep pace with their title rivals.
The likes of Manchester City and Liverpool continue to maintain upbeat form and had taken advantage of Chelsea’s dip to move ahead in the race for top flight glory.
Thomas Tuchel’s men had endured a patchy run of results before emerging on top in a thriller of a 3-2 affair against Leeds United last time around in Premier League action.
A stoppage time penalty from Jorginho sealed the three points for the west Londoners who sit third in the league standings and have improvements to make should they aim to battle the other contenders for the title.
The Blues remain one point behind Jurgen Klopp’s high-flyers and two adrift of the defending champions Manchester City with the upcoming outing one home turf a must-win game for Thomas Tuchel and Co.
Everton’s struggles under Rafael Benitez have failed to change for the better with the Merseysiders with an eight-game winless streak that was broken with a win over Arsenal proving no respite at Goodison Park.
Benitez’s men fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of an inspired Crystal Palace outfit last weekend and the pressure is on the Spanish coach with his team only seven points clear of the dreaded drop zone.
It is Chelsea’s game to lose with the Blues going up against an under-fire Everton side who have claimed just a sole win across their last ten fixtures in league action.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Matchday minus two! 👌 pic.twitter.com/yMbf4SNrpw
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 14, 2021
Date – 16 December
Time – 8 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Thomas Tuchel confirmed respite on the injury front at the Bridge with N’Golo Kante expected to start on the bench against Everton after the Frenchman’s return to training earlier this week.
Back at it. 👌 pic.twitter.com/JrrnxOhMP1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 15, 2021
Central defender Trevoh Chalobah who has been a breakout star for Chelsea this campaign has also made his way back to the fold following a brief spell on the sidelines.
Ben Chilwell and the COVID-positive Mateo Kovacic remain on the recovery table and are not expected to play any part in Thursday’s game.
KEY BATTLE
Romelu Lukaku vs Richarlison
Taking on his former club, Romelu Lukaku will hope to return to his prolific best in front of the goal and give Chelsea the firepower they need in the final third.
Richarlison could be a fitness concern for Everton after coming off the pitch with a calf issue last time around but should the Brazilian make the starting XI, he will be one player who has the ability to switch things in his side’s favour.
PREDICTION
Chelsea are the strong favourites for the upcoming game and we expect them to seal the three points rather comfortably.
Chelsea 4-1 Everton
