Everton vs Chelsea
English Premier League
Date: 6 August 2022, Saturday
Kick-off at 17:30 UK / 18:30 CET
Venue: Goodison Park (Liverpool).
When Chelsea and Everton square off at Goodison Park this weekend, they’ll be looking to start the 2022–23 Premier League campaign on a winning note.
The 2022–23 season of the Premier League began on Friday night with Arsenal playing Crystal Palace at Goodison Park after a two-month hiatus. There will be some delectable games this weekend, one of which will be at Goodison Park on Saturday night when Everton hosts Chelsea.
Last season, Everton narrowly avoided the wrath of relegation by finishing in 16th position, four points above the relegation zone. Fans will be expecting the club to play better than they did last time out since manager Frank Lampard, who took over for Rafael Benitez midway through the season, has now had enough time to impose his ideas on the group.
The Toffees’ preseason preparations have not been great by any means as they lost their opening two matches to MLS team Minnesota United and Arsenal. But Lampard and his squad should feel more confident going into this crucial first match after back-to-back wins over Blackpool and Dynamo Kyiv.
For Chelsea, their hit-and-miss transfer window has mostly dominated the summer. The Blues have become irritated by their failure to finish deals, which has caused a number of targets to escape their grasp. However, they have recently been successful in signing a few players, which could help to reduce some of the tension in the camp.
Chelsea will be aiming to narrow the distance between themselves and the top two teams, even though they finished third last season and were roughly 20 points behind them. Though they did win their last preseason friendly against Udinese, Thomas Tuchel’s team has not been at its best in preseason, losing to Charlotte FC and Arsenal.
Everton vs Chelsea Head-to-head
- Everton will try and repeat the performance from the last time when they hosted Chelsea. The Toffees won 1-0 at the start of May.
- None of the last four head to head games provided three or more goals.
- Chelsea have won just one of the previous four encounters with the Toffees.
Everton vs Chelsea Prediction
We predict that Everton will be able to get past Chelsea’s defense in this game, albeit one goal probably won’t be enough.
When everything is said and done, we predict that both teams will score, with Chelsea ultimately prevailing 1-2. See what transpires in this case.
Everton vs Chelsea Team News
During the pre-game news conference on Thursday, Everton manager Lampard said that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be out for six weeks with a knee injury sustained during training.
Salomon Rondon’s suspension prevents him from starting in the heart of the defense, thus Demarai Gray may fill in with assistance from McNeil and Anthony Gordon. Yerry Mina is healthy and available and should start there.
Due to the club’s injury woes, Lampard doesn’t have many choices in that position, therefore Allan may return to center midfield despite his recent fitness concerns. Seamus Coleman, Tom Davies, Andre Gomes, and Andros Townsend are all still out of the lineup.
With Michael Keane perhaps leaving the lineup if Mina is considered fit enough to play at the start of the game, Tarkowski will make his debut in a back three.
Koulibaly will likely make his Chelsea debut at the back, while Sterling may line up with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz in a front three.
The Germany international is not anticipated to be considered for a start as Timo Werner is a fitness question for the Blues owing to a hamstring ailment and there is intense speculation around his future.
Cesar Azpilicueta will also require Tuchel’s decision, although despite rumors about his future, it is thought that the Spaniard will stay at Stamford Bridge.
In the centre of the field, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante are anticipated to start, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell playing as the wing-backs.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Tarkowski; Patterson, Doucoure, Allan, Mykolenko; Gordon, Gray, McNeil
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, T Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Sterling
