Everton - Match Preview

[Rmpr 8,977]

The Match

After more than a week of FA Cup and Champions League, the Premier League returns for its 27th round when Chelsea host Everton tomorrow at 12.45 GMT.

Both teams are having very positive seasons and their latest meetings have been very entertaining to watch. Fans can definitely expect a game with high level!

About the Opposition

Everton’s season has left their supporters pleasantly surprised. After David Moyes left the team to join Manchester United many wondered how the club would react with the arrival of Roberto Martinez, but the Spanish coach answered it quickly by getting the results and playing amazing football. The Toffees currently sit at sixth place with 45 points (5 behind Tottenham) and are still hoping to finish the season with a European qualification!

With that in mind, it is hard to imagine Everton sitting back defending for 90 minutes as other smaller clubs did in the past. Their fans will be expecting them to attack and go for the win so they can get away from the latest results and push for a European qualification.

They play on a very balanced 4-2-3-1 as well, with dynamic midfielders and responsible wingers. Their strength lies on their incredibly fast and lethal counter attacks. However, they also have a superb defensive system and an experienced goalkeeper. Jose himself praised their organization, transition and ability to score in crucial times.

And although they won’t have Lukaku, Naismith is back and he has a decent record against Chelsea – scoring 2 goals in his last 3 matches against the Londoners…

In short, they are a great team and Chelsea will have to be a little careful.

Team News

The Blues are currently leading the League with 57 points (one point ahead of Arsenal), but they have just been knocked out of the FA Cup by rivals Manchester City after losing 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium last weekend. With that in mind, a win is of extreme importance and anything less than that would be a disappointment, especially a defeat. Not only would it be Chelsea’s very first home league loss under Jose Mourinho, but it would also be a huge upset for the fans, the players and their title dream. Chelsea need to come out victorious to put pressure on their direct opponents and to boost confidence for the rest of the season and the upcoming clash against Drogba’s Galatasaray in the Champions League.

The Special One seems pretty unsettled in his latest press conference, but has said he fully believes in his team and they are totally prepared to go out there and get the result. Jose has also stated Luiz is out due to a muscle injury, but John Terry is fit to return and captain the team. However, he is very unlikely to change the system - so do not expect anything different from the 4-2-3-1 Chelsea has been playing since his arrival. The back four will probably have Cahill and Terry as the center-backs, Ivanovic as a RB and Azipilicueta as an improvised LB; Matic and Ramires have a good chance of starting; it is almost a certainty the trio behind the striker will be made of Hazard – Oscar – Willian; and Eto’o has probably a slight advantage ahead of Torres in the fight to be the starting target man (since his home form has been fantastic).

The team will obviously be looking to keep possession and get the first goal, especially because Everton are an excellent counter-attack team with lots of talented players. The players will have to remain focus at all times and take a huge care of the football. A win is crucial if Chelsea intends to win the league!

Probable Lineups:

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azi; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o.

Everton (4-2-3-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar; Naismith.

Stats and Facts:

1) Chelsea have lost none of their last 18 Premier League home games against Everton (W9 D9).

2) The Londoners have won just three of the last 11 Premier League matches against the Toffees (W3 D4 L4).

3) There have been four goals in the opening 15 minutes of the last four meetings between Chelsea and Everton.

4) All six of Samuel Eto’o’s Premier League goals for Chelsea have been scored at Stamford Bridge.

5) Everton have scored 10 goals through defenders this season, more than any other side in the country. Their opponents Chelsea have seen six goals (third most).

6) Six of Everton’s last 11 Premier League goals have been scored from outside the box; three of which have been by Kevin Mirallas.

7) Jose Mourinho’s side are currently on the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League (11 games – W8 D3).

8) Mourinho’s unbeaten home record in the League now stands at 73 games (W57 D16).

9) Roberto Martinez has lost all four of his previous trips to Stamford Bridge as a manager.

(Stats above obtained from Daily Mail)

Betting Odds (Full Time):

Chelsea Win – 4/7

Draw – 14/5

Everton Win – 5/1

(Odds obtained from SkyBet)

TV

United Kingdom: BBC One.

Belgium: Sporting 1, Be Sport 1.

Brazil: ESPN+ (HD).

Canada: TSN2, RDS 2.

India: Star Sports 2 (HD), Star Sports 4.

Middle East: beIN Sports Arabia 1 HD.

United States: NBCSN.

For additional regions, you can check out the TV schedule for the match here.

There should be many match streams that can be found online if your local sports channels are not broadcasting the game or if you happen to be busy and cannot catch the game live, follow TalkChelsea on Twitter as it would provide live match commentary on the action.

Click here to view the article

[Jase 43,479]

*bump*