As Manchester City raced to score against Leeds United on Tuesday, they also put pressure on the rest of the Premier League top three.
Currently five points behind the league leaders, Chelsea (3rd, 36th) have the opportunity to bolster their defence when the Blues host struggling Everton (14, 18) at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
The Blues were considered one of the best defensive units of the league for much of the first few months, conceding four minor goals in their first 12 games. However, in their last four games, they have conceded seven times, plus another three against Zenit Saint Petersburg in a meaningless Champions League game last week. Rumors that influential defender Antonio Rudiger has turned down a new contract offer will also cause concern.
This midweek fixture is an opportunity not only to mend things behind but also to bury more ex-Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez, who is currently the captain of a side that looks set to be sinking. at Everton.
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The Toffees are still seven points from the drop and have not performed well and really in the relegation battle, but they have only one win and a total of five points collected since the beginning of October and any further slips. could put them in the numbers that play for their Premier League life.
How to watch Chelsea vs Everton
- Day: Thursday, December 16
- Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBCSN
- Spanish TV: University
- Streaming online: fuboTV (7 days free trial), NBCSports.com (authenticated user)
The match will be broadcast by NBCSN (English) and Universo (Spanish), with both channels stream on fuboTV, available to new users on 7 days free trial.
The match can also be streamed on NBCSports.com to verified cable, satellite or telecom subscribers.
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News about Chelsea vs. Everton
Chelsea’s midfield has had some hits recently, like N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both have to face trauma, while Mateo Kovacic tested positive for COVID-19. This drove the likes Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, and Saul came into the role from the bench, with Loftus-Cheek seeing four consecutive appearances in 90 minutes.
However, there is a possibility that the regular forces may be on their way back. Kovacic has been out since late October with a hamstring injury and will return once the virus is ruled out, while Kante has returned to training and is nearing recovery from a dislocated knee. However, it would be surprising to see them in the starting lineup on Thursday, with a bench likely to ease their comeback.
During the attack, Romelu Lukaku has come on from the bench in the last four games, but the midweek game against his former club is exactly where his fresh legs can thrive. In addition, it is possible that coach Thomas Tuchel will rotate the 37-year-old player. Thiago Silva out of the squad, having started each of the last eight league games and finished 90 full minutes in seven of them. It will be Andreas Christensen off the bench to spell Brazilian, like Malang Sarr have only seen 90 minutes of league action this season.
Expected Chelsea lineup (3-4-3, left to right): Mendy – Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta – Alonso, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, James – Mount, Lukaku, Havertz
Everton get furious news after Sunday’s loss to Crystal Palace, with amulets Richarlison out a number of weeks with a torn calf. The Brazilian was sent off shortly before kick-off, and now Everton will need to fight without his attacking influence. Those leaves Solomon Rondon was Everton’s new striker over the holiday season, with the Venezuelan scoring his first goal of the season in a relief appearance at the weekend.
Make things worse, Lucas Digne likely remained sidelined, as rumors swirled in the tabloids about an internal struggle with Benitez and an impending January by their own rivals at Stamford Bridge. He has missed the last two matches, leaving a natural centre-back Ben Godfrey for the description on the left.
The important trio of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies and Yerry Mina also sidelined with various injuries, leaving Everton brutally thin.
Expected Everton lineup (4-1-4-1, left to right): Pickford – Godfrey, Keane, Holgate, Coleman – Delph – Gray, Gomes, Doucoure, Townsend – Rondon
Predictions and odds Chelsea vs. Everton
Odds by DraftKings
Chelsea may not go into this game in a flurry of form, but we saw what happened at the Etihad when a title contender (Manchester City) took on an injury-ravaged side. Leeds) to their home bastion, and this match has all that constitutes a similarly skewed result. Everton’s defense is in pathetic form, with 12 goals conceded in the last five games since the last clean sheet against Spurs more than a month ago. Yerry Mina’s loss was clearly visible.
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Against the Toffees, Rondon may have scored from the bench against Palace over the weekend, but the 32-year-old’s return didn’t go well, with only a single strike showing effort. in 640 minutes at the tournament. Phat. Now, lack Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, plus Alex Iwobi’s lack of form, and it will be the right game for Chelsea’s backline.
Tuchel has an almost healthy squad, especially up front, and can smell blood in the water. Expect a setback, though Tuchel could shut things down before Pep Guardiola does with Leeds.
Pick: Asian Handicap Chelsea -2 (+130)
Guess: Chelsea 3, Everton 0
- Cash flow: Chelsea -475 / Draw +550 / Everton +1300
- Spread: Chelsea -1.5 (-140) / Everton +1.5 (+125)
- Total goals is O/U 2.5: Above -150 / Below +120
- Both teams scored: Yes +145 / No -190
