Preview
Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways when we face a tough test in Everton today with a former blue – Romelu Lukaku in great form this season.
After a poor result on Wednesday where Chelsea took the lead twice and lost it twice, it’s imperative today that we don’t make the same mistake. A good result is needed today more than ever if we want to finish strongly and get into a European qualification position. Wednesday was a missed opportunity in that quest as many teams above us dropped points.
If Chelsea are to get anything from today’s game, stopping Lukaku will be vital and that is a test John Terry and Kurt Zouma are both more than capable of doing. Terry needs to read the game well like usual and stop any balls on the ground or in the air towards Lukaku and Zouma will certainly match him for pace and power and get some strong tackles in on the Belgian.
Diego Costa was unable to score vs West Brom in the week and he will be gunning to get back on the score sheet after his improved form under Guus Hiddink.
Come on Chelsea!
Match details
Saturday, 16th January, kick off at 3:00pm at Stamford Bridge.
Recent form
Chelsea go into today’s match having won 2 (Crystal Palace and Scunthorpe) and drawn 3 (Watford, Manchester United and West Brom) in our last 5 games.
In Everton’s last 5 games they have won 2 (Man City and Dagenham and Redbridge), drawn 2 (Tottenham and Man City) and lost once which came against Stoke.
Team news
Chelsea will today be without Eden Hazard who remains injured but Hiddink hopes to have him back for Arsenal away next week. We will also be without Radamel Falcao who is recovering from a re-occurring muscle injury.
For Everton Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Muhamed Besic are all out injured and unavailable today.
There are no suspensions for today’s game.
My prediction
Chelsea 1-1 Everton.
I think Everton will cause problems at both ends of the pitch and hold out for a draw.
