Everton v Chelsea predictions: Blues can maintain impressive away record

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Everton v Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Chelsea
1pt 8-11 Coral

Team news

Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina are back in contention but Donny van de Beek, Nathan Patterson, Tom Davies, Ben Godfrey and Andros Townsend are ruled out.

Chelsea
Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are out but Andreas Christensen could feature.

Match preview

Third-bottom Everton are exactly where they don't want to be with three weeks of the season left to play and their survival hopes could be dealt another blow by Chelsea, who look worthy odds-on favourites to win at Goodison.

Home results have been key for the Toffees, who have harvested 23 of their 29 points on Merseyside, and Chelsea will be aware of the potential difficulties of trips to Goodison, where they have taken just one point from their last four visits.

However, Chelsea's away record this season reads 11 wins, four draws and two defeats - the second-best in the division - and there was nothing much wrong with their performance in Thursday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

The Blues dominated at Old Trafford, winning the shot count 21 to six, and their failure to secure three points is only likely to sharpen their desire to win at Everton.

Chelsea have been in the top three since September and Thomas Tuchel wants to secure Champions League qualification as soon as possible so he can focus on preparing properly for the FA Cup final.

Tuchel never likes to look too far ahead but the next two weeks are an obvious opportunity for players to play their way into his cup final thoughts and that should ensure high standards are maintained.

A motivated Chelsea is the last thing Everton need to be facing because there is a clear class gap between the teams.

When Frank Lampard was sacked by Chelsea in January 2021, the Londoners were ninth, three points below sixth-placed Everton.

Since then the clubs have gone in very different directions with Chelsea accruing 104 points in 54 games and Everton registering 56 in 51 matches.

Lampard inherited a difficult situation when taking the Everton job in January but his team have struggled to respond and are running out of time to stay up.

Everton's options seem to be increasing for the run-in with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina returning from injuries, but their general lack of confidence - fostered by months of poor performances and results - is a massive problem.

Lampard's side showed plenty of spirit and determination in last Sunday's 2-0 loss at Liverpool but it is the bravery to get on the front foot and dictate games which will be necessary as they target the wins they need to get out of the drop zone.

Home fans will expect them to play with more intent against Chelsea and their wishes may be granted.

However, Chelsea's away record shows that they are usually more effective against more attack-minded opposition and another successful road trip is on the cards this weekend.

Key stat

Chelsea have won eight of their last nine away fixtures

Inside info

Everton

Penalty taker Richarlison
Free-kick wizard Anthony Gordon
Set-piece aerial threat Yerry Mina
Card magnet Richarlison

Chelsea

Penalty taker Jorginho/Kai Havertz/Hakim Ziyech
Free-kick wizard Mason Mount/Marcos Alonso
Set-piece aerial threat Antonio Rudiger
Card magnet Marcos Alonso

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