Game Week 17 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Everton

Everton vs Chelsea preview: Blues aim for title race momentum, while Toffees look to build on Arsenal draw and move clear of relegation.

Chelsea will hope to continue their good run at Goodison Park where Everton has been quite tough to beat, who will come out tops? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Everton vs. Chelsea

Goodison Park

3:00 pm

It’s fascinating to see Chelsea’s approach to the season; they value three points over all talks of a potential title race; they don’t want to be distracted; they don’t want to entertain side talks.

From the abyss of summer uncertainties—from buying every player in sight and having a bloated squad to the teething stage that didn’t last long and a swashbuckling ride that sees them on top of the Conference League table and second in the Premier League—Chelsea is on a mission.

Everton held Arsenal to a goalless draw last weekend, and it’s a testament to their grit. The point was special, but Arsenal's profligacy outweighed Everton's resilience. They'll take it into this one.

On the Blue side of Merseyside, conversations about relegation are the most prevalent. They have a game in hand, and they’re not in the bottom three, sitting pretty above the drop zone by three points. This is a welcome development for everyone at Everton. Can they make this better?

Chelsea is in the title race; forget the body language around Stamford Bridge; all the pundits who predicted them to fight it out in the mid-table are now worshipping the magic of Enzo Maresca. The competition may intensify at certain junctures, but Chelsea is firmly entrenched in the title race.

Everton will set up to defend, and you can’t blame them. You don’t expect them to go all out against a free-scoring side like Chelsea; they will stay compact and try to hit the Blues on the break. It won’t be easy, but last weekend’s result will give them some confidence.

The situation involving Mkhailo Mudryk is likely to garner attention from the press and fans. However, the club has expressed their support for their player, despite his inability to play this game. Reece James is getting better, but this one comes too quick for him too.

Jordan Pickford will be immense for Everton on Sunday; he will be tested by Chelsea’s firepower, but trust James Tarkowski and Jarrod Branthwaite to help him out. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to lead the line, but Armando Broja is also available for selection against his former side.

Cole Palmer was quite subdued last time out with Nicolas Jackson leading in his stead, but Palmer will trouble the Toffees. There’s no Marc Cucurella, as he’s serving a ban while Romeo Lavia continues to find fitness. Chelsea should win this one.

Verdict: Straight win Chelsea