Under-pressure Chelsea returns to Stamford Bridge to face an in-form Everton, with the outcome highly dependent on the performance of former Blue Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and the impact of Chelsea’s rotated star Alejandro Garnacho.
Stamford Bridge hosts a crucial top-six clash as struggling Chelsea, back from a poor three-game road trip, face David Moyes’ in-form Everton side.
Manager Enzo Maresca faces mounting pressure as the Blues endure their annual “festive period slump,” currently sitting fifth in the table.
Conversely, the Toffees have bagged four wins from their last five, meaning a victory could temporarily lift them above Chelsea and into the top four.
All eyes will be on Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who returns to his old ground after leaving Chelsea in the summer.
Now one of the Premier League’s most in-form players, he boasts three goals and one assist in his last five games.
For Chelsea, winger Alejandro Garnacho remains a key but frustrating talent, having been a “victim of Maresca’s constant rotation” despite being one of the team’s “brightest stars.”
In team news, Chelsea will be without Moisés Caicedo for the final game of his suspension, while Wesley Fofana is hopeful of featuring despite a recent eye injury.
Everton welcomes back midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam, but defenders Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite remain sidelined.
Due to Chelsea’s lack of form, the match preview predicts a 2-1 victory for the visiting Toffees.