🔊 Can Chelsea stay in the top-5 of the Premier League after the match against Everton? This Saturday, the “Toffees” visit Stamford Bridge with the intention of prolonging the “Blues'” winless streak, which already reaches four games. For their part, those from Merseyside arrive in better shape: two consecutive wins and four in their last five games. They currently occupy seventh position in the table, just one point behind Chelsea. Will the visitors be able to displace the London club from the European competition zone? We evaluate the possibilities of both teams in our analysis.
🟨 Referee and yellow cards
The main referee of the match will be Thomas Bramall. His yellow card average in the last 20 Premier League games is 3.6. The matches of both teams do not stand out for their excessive toughness either. In Everton’s last five games an average of 3.8 cards have been shown, while in Chelsea’s games only 2.6. In the next confrontation, the level of intensity will probably increase, since the top 5 of the Premier League is at stake. Furthermore, in 5 of the last 6 direct confrontations between both clubs, the total of 3.5 warnings was exceeded. The quotas for a high number of violations are attractive. We suggest taking the total yellow cards less than 4.5.
⚽️ Goal prediction
Everton have only scored more than one goal away from home once this season, against a struggling Wolverhampton side. On average, the “Toffees” score a goal every seven Premier League away games. Chelsea, for its part, does not stand out much more at Stamford Bridge in the championship, with an average of 1.25 goals. Furthermore, the direct confrontations between both teams in recent years have been quite modest in terms of goals: in 8 of the last 10 games, the total goals did not exceed 2.5. Everton’s recent good away results have been achieved pragmatically. And the current form of the “Blues” raises doubts. We believe that there will be no rout by either team on Saturday. Our forecast: total goals less than 2.5.
🚩 Corner prediction
Everton’s main formation is the 4-2-3-1, which David Moyes mainly uses to play defensively. The Toffees are unlikely to change their approach against a team of Chelsea’s level and will play from the opponent. However, even counterattacks create enough opportunities for them in front of the opponent’s goal, including set pieces. In 4 of their last 5 games, they have won at least five corners. The high total for this component in favor of the visitors in the next match is surprisingly low. Therefore, we suggest choosing the Everton’s total corners over 3.5.
Editorial prediction
Chelsea alternates draws with defeats lately, a streak that now extends to four games. After the defeat against Atalanta in the Champions League, it would be logical to think that the “blues” could have another draw in the Premier League. Despite the depth of the squad, Enzo Maresca continues to use the same key players over and over again. Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Pedro Neto, and Marc Cucurella offer good performance in general, but at times they seem a little fatigued.
Everton is showing impressive form in the Premier League: four wins and one loss in the last five games. However, their specific performances at Stamford Bridge are worrying: the last victory in London for the “toffees” was back in 2011, and that was on penalties in the FA Cup. Since then, the “blues” have not known defeat at home in the last 15 games. Without detracting from the work of David Moyes at the helm of Everton, the most likely result in the next match seems to be a Chelsea’s hard-fought victory. The predicted score is 1-0 in favor of the locals.
