Chelsea travel to Merseyside in bid to consolidate their top-four aspirations and will come up against a former fan favourite in the opposing dugout.
Old acquaintances must however be forgotten by Frank Lampard as he strives to keep Everton afloat against his previous employers, and the club where he cemented legendary status over a 13-year playing career. Having lost all seven away games under Lampard Everton, who could be five points adrift of Burnley come kick off, simply cannot afford to drop points in their three remaining home fixtures.
Chelsea were wasteful in their dominant draw at Manchester United on Thursday but should possess enough attacking options to capitalise on the rising pressure at Goodison Park.
The Hosts – Everton :
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back in contention for Everton after a thigh problem, while Yeri Mina could also return. Gomes, van der Beek and Ben Godfrey are all doubts, while Andros Townsend and Nathan Patterson are long term absentees.
It will be the first time Lampard has faced his former club since being sacked midway through last season and replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
The Toffees started the Premier League weekend two points adrift of safety, though they do have a game in hand on 17th-placed Burnley.
It’s been an appalling season for Everton; the Toffees are in real danger of being relegated from the Premier League for the first time in their history. Lampard has over seen eight losses in his 12 Premier League matches in charge, often citing trivial variables to excuse his side’s poor performances.
However, Everton’s form at Goodison Park has improved and the players will take particular confidence from their performance against Manchester United a few weeks ago; proving they possess the capabilities to beat one of the top six at home.
This Chelsea side are often somewhat charitable when visiting Goodison Park; two wins in nine visits represents an unsavoury away record. The Toffees will hope Thomas Tuchel’s side are as wasteful as they were on Thursday if Frank Lampard is to have any chance of recording a result against his former employers.
Chelsea Team News :
Chelsea will again be without Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell for Sunday’s contest, whilst Andreas Christensen and Ross Barkley are also doubts with illness.
Thomas Tuchel will demand more quality from his front three after a careless striking performance at Old Trafford; Kai Havertz in particular missing some glaring chances.
Chelsea were however impressive nonetheless on Thursday, having reverted to their more familiar 3-4-3 after flirting with a 3-4-1-2 in recent weeks, and will look to replicate the build-up patterns that sliced through United’s midfield. Mason Mount looked a more potent threat on the right hand side, developing a strong progressive connection with the excellent Reece James.
Reports suggest that the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah and Christian Pulisic could be drafted in to freshen the Blues, although Chelsea have the rare luxury of no midweek fixture between now and next weekend.
Predicted line up (3-4-3): Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Rüdiger; James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea will typically dominate possession will struggle for flow amidst a vociferous Goodison Crowd, where their dire record in Merseyside will elongate another year.
