In-form Chelsea have the chance to move to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday afternoon.
Enzo Maresca and his squad have been quick to quieten expectations amid their lengthy unbeaten run which has thrust them into the title discussion. Without a loss since October, Maresca’s side are two points behind league leaders Liverpool heading into the weekend’s action.
These are the sorts of games that will define the Blues’ campaign, with Goodison Park often proving a tricky place to visit for the west Londoners. While the great Chelsea sides have typically prevailed on the blue half of the Mersey, lesser iterations have faltered.
Maresca is juggling an array of defensive absences heading into the game, notably missing Marc Cucurella, Reece Jamea and Wesley Fofana.
Here’s 90min’s predicted Blues lineup.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1)
GK: Robert Sanchez – It’s not been all plain sailing for Sanchez this term, and he’s a player Chelsea will surely look to upgrade on. However, the Spaniard was a big reason why they overcame their Brentford hoodoo last weekend.
RB: Moises Caicedo – We’ve seen Caicedo perform this role several times this season, and Everton’s physical midfield may convince Maresca to pack the middle of the park with duel monsters.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – With Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile both out injured, Tosin is the next man up in the Chelsea centre-back depth chart.
CB: Levi Colwill – There’s been a revolving door beside him, but Colwill has been a constant on the left side of Chelsea’s defence this term.
LB: Renato Veiga – Marc Cucurella is suspended but Maresca has options in reserve. He could opt for Malo Gusto at left-back, but Veiga may be the better fit if Caicedo inverts from right-back. Veiga has featured heavily in the cup competitions this season, but rarely in the Premier League.
CM: Romeo Lavia – Injuries have stalled an otherwise impressive campaign from Lavia, who missed last Sunday’s win. However, the midfielder should be fit and available for the trip to Goodison.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – Maresca won’t fancy having Enzo in the pivot, so he’ll free him up by having Caicedo drift into midfield from right-back. Fernandez has been one of the Blues’ standout performers in recent weeks, relishing the freedom to pile forward.
RM: Pedro Neto – Neto hasn’t yet caught alight in Chelsea colours, but he’s certainly flickered his talent and he could be preferred to Noni Madueke on Sunday. Neto was absent from the squad last week.
AM: Cole Palmer – The Blues could do with another Palmer outing akin to his most recent performance against the Toffees. Palmer scored four in a 6-0 rout back in April.
LM: Jadon Sancho – Sancho’s making this spot his own. He’s been brilliant since returning from injury, and his newfound willingness to shoot will only aid his ability as a playmaker.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Jackson’s going to have to work hard for his chances against a robust Everton backline that defend their box pretty well. The two centre-halves will aim to limit the number of times they’re forced to track the Chelsea striker into the channels.