Date: Saturday 18th
March 2023
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Today’s late game sees us back at
Stamford Bridge, taking on Everton.
We had a decent win against Leicester
last weekend, and whilst we didn’t manage a clean sheet, we did manage to score
3-goals. So that was 3 wins out of three, leaving us feeling relieved, if not entirely
joyous. The shine is taken off somewhat with the reality that we’re still 10th
in the table and there’s much more damage to still be undone. We have a 29-year
unbeaten record against the Toffees at home, so they might not relish the trip
to Stamford Bridge as much as most teams have this season.
Like us, Everton also come into the game
off the back of a win last weekend, also like us, they have been struggling
away from home this season. They haven’t won away in 11 games now and sit 15th
in the table ahead of the weekend’s games.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last 14 top-flight
fixtures in the month of March……no prizes for guessing who we lost to though!
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Graham Potter
says “Where we are now is to focus on
Everton. There are three points up for grabs against a tough team, a team that
has gone in the right direction with Sean. They play to their strengths and
that’s all we can focus on. We don’t worry about what we’re going to do in May
or June. We’re going to focus on tomorrow.
Sean is a fantastic coach firstly. His
record at Burnley and to do what he did there was a fantastic achievement. Now
you can see the effect he has had at Everton. They
play to their strengths, are incredibly motivated, and have clarity in all the
phases. So we’re under no illusions, we know how difficult the game is. It’s a
fantastic test for us at home in front of our supporters and off the back of
three wins. We’ll have to play well.”
Everton manager Sean Dyche, meanwhile,
says “Starting point, I wouldn’t say I’m
relaxed, I just work on the realities on what the challenge was. I don’t think
I’m relaxed about it. I’m more interested in the strategy, it’s not about being
relaxed, I’m on the detail but to bring clarity, it’s better to be in a calmer
state than all over the place. Players have different values and capabilities.
There’s always something that makes them a good player, I don’t judge groups,
this is a talented group and it’s about maximising the talent. That’s mine and
the staff’s job. Whatever the league programme tells you, you’ve got to
play them all. I spoke about that mentality, we’ve got to be clear-minded and
bloody-minded.
The whole team’s
mentality is to score goals, that’s definitely improved. The intent, the bodies
in the box, I’ve shown them clips. We looked a handful at set-pieces then you
build it into playing. If you miss a chance, that’s the way it grows. The mentality
to score is growing amongst the group, if Dwight can chip in that’s great. If
you ask them to all to defend, you ask them all to score.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Armando Broja (ACL), Edouard
Mendy (finger) remain out, Thiago Silva (knee), Mason Mount (abdominal) and
Cesar Azpilicueta are also still side-lined, along with Raheem Sterling (hamstring).
Reece James (illness) could come back into contention and N’Golo Kante (thigh)
could finally make the squad again.
For Everton, Andros Townsend remains a
long-term absentee, Nathan Petterson (knee) is close to returning and Dominic
Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) is given as doubtful,
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Kepa; Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella, James, Kovacic, Fernandez, Chilwell;
Mudryk, Havertz, Felix
EVERTON
(Possible line-up): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, Godfrey; Iwobi, Onana,
Gueye, Doucoure, McNeil; Gray
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 1-1 Everton (16th
December 2021)
FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: DDLLWW
EVERTON: LWLLDW
OTHER STUFF
- Everton are without a win in 27 top-flight games
away to Chelsea.
- Chelsea haven’t done the double over Everton since
2016-17.
- Chelsea have won successive league games.
- Chelsea have scored five goals in their last two
league and cup games.
- Everton are without a win in 11 consecutive away
games in all competitions.
- Everton have gone 11 league games without a win in
London.
- Everton have two wins and two clean sheets in their
past 30 top-flight away games.
- Everton have won three of their seven league games
under Sean Dyche.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 2-0 Everton
