- Date and Time: Sunday, December 22, 2024. 14:00 GMT+1
- Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
Everton vs Chelsea Preview
Everton
Sean Dyche’s Everton have enjoyed a productive festive period, picking up points in four of their last five matches. The success under Dyche has been built on a strong defensive record. After keeping a clean sheet at Arsenal last Saturday, the team appear to have rediscovered their structure.
The draw means that only the Gunners have kept more clean sheets than the Toffees in the top flight this calendar year. The club have moved three points clear of the drop zone, gaining six points from their last five matches.
Back to Goodison on Sunday 👊🔵 pic.twitter.com/FYb8LhRIAL
— Everton (@Everton) December 17, 2024
The xGA metric also shows Everton’s strong defensive record. They’ve allowed just 17 goals out of 18.78 from open play. Meanwhile, they’re outperforming their xGA from corners and setpieces.
However, scoring goals has been a continued problem for the Toffees, evident after they scored just six from open play, with an xG of 12.25. Their options in the final third will be further limited this weekend. Armando Broja is unavailable to play against his parent club.
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca has continued to downplay Chelsea’s claim to be in the title race, but given the Blues‘ form, it is becoming increasingly difficult to believe his comments.
The London club have won each of their last five EPL matches, and they sit just two points behind Liverpool. A win at Goodison Park could take them above the Reds before Arne Slot’s side are in action at Tottenham.
🇦🇷 Enzo x Nico 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/AIwbe1ULzt
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 18, 2024
Chelsea have remained faithful to a reliable 4-2-3-1 formation this season. Holding roles have been completed by Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, giving freedom to talents such as Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho.
Despite the excellent show of their attacking players, the Blues are still underperforming in terms of the xG metric of 30.03, having scored 29 goals from open play.
👋 @Sanchooo10 pic.twitter.com/WanGWXHMu3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 18, 2024
Defensively, they’ve remained solid, conceding just 12 goals from open play and an xGA of 17.7. However, Chelsea will be without Marc Cucurella and Reece James this weekend.
Bet hereEverton vs Chelsea Prediction
- Pick: Chelsea to Win
- Odds: 1.64 (22Bet)
- Score prediction: Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Chelsea could make a statement this weekend, and plenty is going in favour of the Blues.
Everton may have won five of the last six meetings between the sides at Goodison Park, but their lack of clinical edge in the final third is hard to dismiss. Chelsea have plenty of quality in the final third, and they’ve remained patient in cagey matches. This deserves a mention in an expected match of few chances on Sunday.
However, the Blues‘ quality means we can see them coming out on top by the odd goal. The win could see them go into Christmas Day as the league leaders.
Everton vs Chelsea Prediction, Betting Tip
- Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
- Odds: 2.00 (22Bet)
Everton’s attacking woes have seen them score just four goals in their last six matches, all four of which came in a dominant win against the Wolves. The Toffees have struggled against high-ranked teams in recent weeks, being restricted to xGs of 0.77 and 0.13 against Man United and Arsenal, respectively.
Their lack of high-quality attacking talent makes it difficult to see them scoring on Sunday. However, their dominant defensive record also means the Blues could win by just one goal.
A solid showing from the Blues at the weekend 👊🔵
— Everton (@Everton) December 16, 2024
An alternative Everton vs Chelsea prediction could come in the form of Nicolas Jackson netting the winner. The striker has been a revelation for Maresca this season. He’s already netted nine in 15 matches from an xG of 8.85. His newfound clinical nature could prove to be the difference on Sunday.
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