Team
news, stats and prediction ahead of Everton vs Chelsea in the Premier League
on Saturday.
Team news
Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson has to contend with the same
injury problems faced by the sacked Marco Silva as he seeks to halt their
slump against Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Seamus Coleman (rib) and Fabian Delph (hamstring) are still sidelined. There
is also a doubt over Yerry Mina who limped away from Anfield after the
Merseyside derby defeat which cost Silva his job.
Tammy Abraham should shake off a knock to feature for Chelsea. The in-form
England striker limped out of the closing stages of Wednesday's 2-1 home
league win over Aston Villa, but is expected to be ready to take on the
Toffees.
Ross Barkley is back in contention after illness, while the Everton clash
comes just too soon for Antonio Rudiger who continues to inch back to match
fitness after a pelvic problem.
Opta stats
Everton won this exact fixture 2-0 back in March, and are looking to secure
consecutive league wins against Chelsea for the first time since November
1994.
Chelsea have failed to score in their last three Premier League games
against Everton (D2 L1) - they've never gone four consecutive games without
a goal against an opponent in the competition, last doing so in the
top-flight against Bolton (1958-1960).
Everton have won six of their last 10 home league games against Chelsea (D1
L3) - more than they had in their previous 24 against them at Goodison Park
in the top-flight (W5 D10 L9).
After a run of six consecutive clean sheets at Goodison Park in the Premier
League, Everton have recorded just one shutout in their last six at home in
the competition, conceding at least twice in four of those games.
Everton will play a Premier League match in December starting the day in the
relegation zone for the first time since December 2003, when they drew 0-0
with Manchester City.
Chelsea have scored 19 goals in their seven away league games this season -
they've never scored more after seven games on the road in a single league
campaign (level with 1966-67 and 2008-09). The Blues are averaging 6.7 shots
on target per away game this season, their highest in a Premier League
campaign since at least 2003-04.
Against no side has Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson scored more Premier League
goals than he has against Chelsea (5).
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic has been directly involved in six goals in his
last five Premier League away games, scoring four and assisting two.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Marco Silva's immediate replacement may be a temporary one, but it will be
one that should give Everton a much-needed lift. I am not convinced by
Chelsea's defence, they looked uncomfortable at times against Aston Villa.
Things haven't gone Everton's way under Silva, but they are a team of
scrappers, and I see them battling their way to three points.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
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