Chelsea will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight matches when they welcome relegation-threatened Everton to Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
The home side are currently ninth in the table, now just five points behind sixth-placed Manchester United, while Everton occupy 16th, two points clear of the relegation zone.
Match preview
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There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a difficult campaign for Chelsea, with the capital outfit sitting down in ninth position in the Premier League table, boasting a record of 12 wins, eight draws and 10 defeats to collect 44 points.
Mauricio Pochettino's side are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league, though, and a European finish is not out of the question, as they are only five points behind sixth-placed Man United.
Chelsea recorded a 4-3 win over Man United in their last match at Stamford Bridge on April 4, but they were unable to back that up with another victory, being held to a 2-2 draw by Sheffield United last weekend.
Indeed, while the capital outfit's recent unbeaten run is a positive, there have only been two wins from their last six games in England's top flight, with too many draws costing them a spot further up the division.
Chelsea have a tough run of fixtures to come, facing Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in their next three, and it will be fascinating to see how the campaign ends for the club.
There has been huge pressure on Pochettino this season, and his spot at the helm is far from secure, but he has had to deal with an injury crisis in 2023-24 and that is showing no signs of easing heading into the final straight.
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Everton, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 success over Burnley, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting the only goal of the contest in the final stages of the first period.
The Toffees have claimed four points from their last two games against Newcastle United and Burnley, but they remain in relegation trouble, sitting 16th in the division, only two points clear of 18th-placed Luton.
Sean Dyche's side have won five times on their travels this season, but they have not been victorious away from home in the Premier League since the middle of December against Burnley.
Everton have only ever won once at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, which came back in November 1994, but they beat Chelsea 2-0 in the reverse game at Goodison Park in December and are bidding to complete a first league double over the capital outfit for 45 years.
Goals have been a problem for the Toffees throughout the campaign, only finding the back of the net on 32 occasions in the Premier League; only Sheffield United on 30 have fewer, but Calvert-Lewin has now netted in his last two appearances after going 18 league games without a goal.
Team News
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Chelsea will have Malo Gusto back in their XI, with the defender being rested against Sheffield United following an illness, while Ben Chilwell could also be back in the squad for Monday's contest.
Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi have both emerged as doubts, so there could be a reshuffle, with Conor Gallagher dropping back into central midfield, which could see Mykhaylo Mudryk to come into the XI.
Raheem Sterling and Robert Sanchez are doubts due to illnesses, while Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill and Lesley Ugochukwu are unavailable for selection.
Thiago Silva was on the scoresheet in the clash with Sheffield United last time out, and the experienced centre-back could retain his position in the XI against Everton on Monday night.
As for Everton, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye are both set to return to the squad, while there could also be a spot in the selection for long-term absentee Arnaut Danjuma.
Calvert-Lewin is set to start despite concerns over a slight hamstring issue, while James Garner is available despite fears over a knock.
Dele Alli and Lewis Dobbin remain unavailable for selection, but Dyche could otherwise have a full complement, with the squad in good shape at a vital stage of the campaign.
There could be a spot in a wide area for Jack Harrison on Monday, with experienced attacker Ashley Young potentially dropping down to the bench at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Gusto, T Silva, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Onana, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Everton
Everton are capable of getting a result on Monday, with the Toffees having enough quality to harm an inconsistent Chelsea outfit. It would not be a surprise to see the points shared in the capital, but Chelsea could just navigate their way to an important three points against their relegation-threatened opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
