Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Seeking an essential boost on Saturday evening when they turn their attention back to Premier League action, Chelsea will travel to Merseyside when they meet Everton.

Everton

Starting with the hosts, suffering late heartbreak away at runaway leaders Arsenal last week as they eventually fell to a 2-0 loss in north London, Everton will be seeking an immediate response here. Excited to make a return to the blue half of Merseyside this weekend, David Moyes’ men are still in European contention. Signing off February with a stunning 3-2 victory away at Newcastle, the former West Ham boss has seen his squad gain a reputation for their rugged approach. Despite opening Saturday’s showdown at the Hill Dickinson pencilled in as an underdog contender, Everton should be smelling the opportunity to make a heavyweight statement. Last seen on Merseyside claiming a 2-0 win against relegation scrappers Burnley, Moyes’ side will certainly cause some real headaches.

Everton Team News

Sustaining what looks set to be a season-ending foot injury back in January, Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish will once again miss out here. Both missing out away at Arsenal last week, Everton are sweating over the key defensive duo of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Completing a loan switch from Chelsea during the January transfer window, Tyrique George is ineligible to feature against his parent club. Making a permanent switch from Stamford Bridge last summer, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will start in the middle of the park.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Liam Rosenior might have made an immediate impact following his shock appointment in west London back in January, the former Strasbourg boss suddenly finds some serious pressure on his shoulders. Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end earlier in the week as they fell to an 8-2 aggregate drumming against PSG, the Blues have continued to show some rather glaring issues. Falling to a toothless 1-0 loss at home against Newcastle last weekend, Chelsea have come tumbling down the Premier League standings. Getting March underway with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of local rivals Arsenal, Rosenior’s struggling squad have claimed just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.

Chelsea Team News

Suffering yet another injury setback this week, Chelsea have confirmed that skipper Reece James faces a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Yet to make a single appearance this season, fellow England international Levi Colwill remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue.

Left as an unused substitute against PSG in midweek, French defender Wesley Fofana should be handed a full recall on Saturday evening. Notching 14 Premier League goals this season, Brazilian striker Joao Pedro will spearhead Chelsea’s attack.

Everton vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider

• When Everton and Chelsea met for their reverse Premier League battle on December 13th, the Blues landed a 2-0 victory in west London.
• In fact, Chelsea have registered 10 points from their previous four Premier League meetings against Saturday’s hosts.
• Chelsea have claimed just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
• Five of Everton’s last six matchups at the Hill Dickinson have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• Brazilian international Joao Pedro has registered 14 Premier League goals this season.

Conclusion

Watching their Champions League adventure come to an infamous end in midweek, Chelsea travel to Merseyside on Saturday evening desperately seeking a boost. However, despite holding a dominant record record against Everton, Rosenior’s downbeat squad should be bracing themselves for a tricky test at the Hill Dickinson. With Everton looking to get their European charge back on track, Saturday’s hosts will certainly cause some real headaches. Likewise, with the Toffees seeing five of their previous six showdowns in the blue half of Mersyside finish with under 2.5 goals, we could be set for a nervy affair.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet