It’s fifth v sixth in the Premier League’s 12:30 kick-off on Saturday, 17 October, Everton v Chelsea
Everton v Chelsea Tips
- Prediction: Chelsea to win (11/10)
- Correct Score: 1-3 (11/1)
- Best Bet: Chelsea to win and over 2.5 goals (2/1)
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Everton
Everton have started the season well. With four wins and four draws in all competitions, they have yet to be beaten and currently sit in fifth place in the table, one place higher than Chelsea, with both teams on ten points.
In the league, it is two wins and four draws for the Toffees, so they are becoming draw specialists. They have scored eight goals and conceded five in those six games.
Chelsea
This will be Chelsea’s first trip north of Luton this season. They have both enthralled and appalled fans during the current campaign, scoring 15 goals in their first six league games but conceding 13, which is more than any other Premier League team this season.
Has the ship been steadied by a 5-1 home win against Bournemouth last Saturday? We shall see. Doubters will be quick to point out that they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in the league for 22 matches. Ouch.
Unhappy Hunting Ground
Everton has proven to be an unhappy hunting ground for Chelsea in recent years. Since 2017-2018, the Everton-Chelsea league fixture has produced six wins for the home side, two draws, and just one win for Chelsea, 0-1 in 2022-23 season when Jorginho slotted home a 45th-minute penalty.
Furthermore, Chelsea have failed to score in seven of the nine matches, both teams have scored in just one of the nine, seven of the last eight have produced under 2.5 goals, and five of the nine have produced under 1.5 goals.
Goals – Everton
With six goals in eight starts (all comps), Thierno Barry has made a very good start to the campaign. Former Chelsea player Kiernan Dewsbury Hall has chipped in with two in eight. Hats off to him as he recently graduated from the PFA Business School with a postgraduate diploma in sports directorship.
Goals – Chelsea
As indicated above, Chelsea have been scoring for fun. João Pedro already has five in five league games, while Morgan Rogers has four in six and Cole Palmer has two in six plus three assists; he’s also scored two goals in two League Cup appearances.
However, Rogers failed to score in four appearances for Aston Villa against Everton, but Palmer has scored five goals in his last five starts against Everton, although four came in the 6-0 thrashing that Chelsea dished out at Stamford Bridge in 2024. João Pedro failed to score in two starts against Everton when at Brighton.
The return of Moises Caicedo last week was huge for Chelsea and his partnership with former-Liverpool player Jordan Henderson got off to a great start, with Henderson even grabbing himself a couple of goals. Liverpool are, of course, Everton’s fierce City rivals.
Team News
Everton
Vitalii Mykolenko could be available. He is recovering from a minor injury picked up whilst on international duty.
Christian Nørgaard (groin) could be involved as he closes in on fitness, but he is highly unlikely to start the match.
Chelsea
Reece James (knock on knee) is considered doubtful (check Friday’s news), and Jamie Gittens (ankle) will certainly miss out.
Defying The Stats
If you trust the stats, everything points towards an Everton win. The saying that people can use stats in the way that a drunk might use a lamp-post springs to mind – that is, for support rather than illumination.
I’m breaking with one of my preview rules and going against the stats on this occasion.
Two ex-Liverpool players in the Chelsea squad – Jordan Henderson and head coach Xabi Alonso – add a bit of extra spice to the game. Will heart-over-head prove to be a wrong move? Sentiment is rarely prudent in relation to punting. We’ll find out on Saturday whether I have got away with it.
Everton v Chelsea Tips
- Prediction: Chelsea to win (11/10)
- Correct Score: 1-3 (11/1)
- Best Bet: Chelsea to win and over 2.5 goals (2/1)
Everton v Chelsea key details
When is Everton v Chelsea being played?
Saturday, 17 October, KO 12:30
Where is the game being played?
At the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, Everton’s home ground
Which channels are showing the match?
TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and HBOmax
