Everton V Chelsea | Premier League Preview, Team News & Betting Tips

Last updated: April 27, 2017 by Leon Marshal

Chelsea moved one step closer to Premier League glory with a 4-2 win over Southampton on Tuesday, but with Spurs taking all three points at Selhurst Park in midweek, Conte’s men face arguably their toughest test between now and the end of the season on Sunday at Goodsion Park.

It’s squeaky bum time at the top of the Premier League table as we head into the final month of the season. Spurs cut their London rivals’ lead to just four points with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with five games left to play. Chelsea must now travel to Merseyside and do what only Liverpool have accomplished this season, and take three points at Goodison Park. Ronald Koeman’s side have won their last eight at home, although the last three have been against sides in the bottom six.

Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin delivered a warning to Sunday’s opponents this week, telling Sky Sports: “Chelsea are a difficult team to beat but we are a match to anyone at home, we won’t let them breathe, or have any space on the pitch.” Schneiderlin, who has been excellent since he joined The Toffees from Manchester United in January, will have his work cut out against newly crowned PFA Player of the Year N’Golo Kanté in midfield on Sunday.

On the bright side for Chelsea, Everton forward Romelu Lukaku struggled against a back-three at West Ham last weekend – the Premier League’s top scorer managed just one shot at the London Stadium – and his job will not be any easier against a rock-solid Chelsea defence using a similar system. It will be interesting to see is Koeman’s goes with two up top to provide the Belgian with a bit of support. For Chelsea it will be business as usual, trying to put space between themselves and Spurs before the North London Derby later in the day.

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Team News

Everton still have a lengthy long-term injury list featuring key players such a Coleman and Bolasie, but youth has really stepped in to fill the void

If Koeman does go for two strikers, he will have Lookman, Valencia and Calvert-Lewin to choose from to join Lukaku

Conte has a fully fit squad to choose from. Options in attack include Willian and Pedro, one of whom will partner Costa and Hazard

Gary Cahill is back after his short stay in hospital and, after his goal midweek, is showing no signs of any hangover

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Expected Line-Ups:

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So Far This Season

• Belgian international Romelu Lukaku has bagged 24 goals this season and is particularly potent on home soil. A goal any time for league’s top scorer and a draw is 20/1.
• Chelsea will know that victory puts them well and truly on the home straight. The Half Time/Full Time market is once again tempting, Draw-Chelsea at 9/2 in particular.
• Ronald Koeman may go with two up front for this one to put more pressure on Chelsea’s back three. Enner Valencia is the most likely to get the nod, and is 13/5 to score exactly 1 goal.
• Diego Costa has been key for Conte’s side this season and scored two last time out against Southampton. Backing him to score anytime at 5/6 is a pretty safe bet.

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Head to Head

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Conclusion & Betting Tips

The form guide points towards the home win here, and 12/4 is a good price, but that impressive Everton record has been built on flat-track bullying weaker sides than Chelsea, and it feels like a natural time for that run to end. Chelsea are 21/20 to win away from home, a price which fairly reflects both the Premier League leader’s strength and the task at hand. Everton are priced slightly better than thier opponents in the Draw No Bet market and, as a conservative option, there’s value there.

Everton were blunt up front against West Ham and really struggled to break down a three-man defence when Lukaku was tamed. Even if Koeman tries to mix it up against Chelsea, he has few dangerous options in attack outside of his main man. The result could be another clean sheet for Conte’s team, and the Both Teams to Score and under 2.5 Goals market could be worth looking at. One team to score and Under 2.5 Goals is going for 13/8 and will cover a narrow victory for either side.

Everton have scored 11 second half goals in their last six home games, and I expect this one to be quite cagey at first, with Chelsea conscious of the importance of the fixture. Backing the second half to have more goals than the first at 19/20 with Ladbrokes provides a nice opportunity to (almost) double your money with relatively little risk, and is my bet of the weekend.