Chelsea must take advantage at Goodison Park

Everton would hope for a bright start against Chelsea on Saturday but can they stop the Blues? (Photo credit: GOAL)

Everton vs Chelsea
Goodison Park
5:30pm

Everton survived relegation by the skin of their naked teeth last season and in all of their summer dealings, they look set to have a torrid campaign again of course, except something sensational happens in the closing stages of the transfer window.

Chelsea have endured a difficult transfer window too but it’s looking good for them right now after landing Spanish left back Marc Cucurella from Brighton and also in talks with Leicester City for Wesley Fofana and Barcelona for Frenkie De Jong.

Everton beat Chelsea in this fixture last season and that was the moment they helped their survival was ignited but can they do it again at the Goodison Park on the opening day of the new season? Do they have what it takes to stop Chelsea from leaving the stadium with a win?

Frank Lampard will be able to call on new signings James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil, both joined from Burnley after the south coast club got relegated from the premier league but with the team thin in attack, where will the goals come from?

Dominic Calvert Lewin is out injured and Solomon Rondon is unavailable due to suspension; Anthony Gordon impressed last season while Demarai Gray could be deployed upfront as the false nine or Lampard would have to rely on academy boys.

Chelsea will be happy to unleash Raheem Sterling on Everton to earn his debut after joining from Manchester City; Kalidou Koulibaly and Cucurella could also make their respective debuts for the Blues and all just point at a potential long evening for the Toffees.

The last two times both sides met at Goodison Park, the hosts won by same 1-0 margin and could Everton ride on that again when the whistle goes off on Saturday? Would Chelsea be able to capitalize on Liverpool’s dropped points at Fulham?