Everton
will put their revival under Sam Allardyce to the test when they host
in-form Chelsea in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, live on Sky Sports.
The Toffees have won four of their last five Premier League games to lift
themselves away from the relegation zone and now sit just six points behind
seventh-placed Tottenham ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
First-half goals from Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata earned Chelsea a
comfortable win in the reverse fixture in August and the Blues have
consolidated their place in the top four on the back of eight wins in their
last 10 Premier League games.
But they will be without suspended striker Alvaro Morata, who picked up a
late yellow card in the team's 2-1 victory against Bournemouth in the
Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Spanish forward was celebrating his winning goal when he placed the ball
under his shirt to reference his wife's pregnancy, leading to referee Lee
Mason cautioning him.
"It's a pity, but we have to accept the decision, to try at the same time in
the future to pay great attention," said Antonio Conte.
"In that moment we were enjoying the goal and I didn't see the situation. I
knew that he tried to celebrate the goal with the ball under the shirt. You
can allow this because this is a celebration. You are showing your joy."
Team news
Yannick Bolasie could be in contention to return to the Everton squad for
the first time in 12 months after rupturing knee ligaments against
Manchester United last season.
Seamus Coleman (broken leg) and Ramiro Funes Mori (knee) remain long-term
absentees while Leighton Baines (calf), Maarten Stekelenburg (groin) and
Ross Barkley (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Morata's absence could mean that Eden Hazard leads the line in a false nine
role after Michy Batshuayi disappointed when handed a start in the game
against Bournemouth.
David Luiz, who has been linked with a January exit from Stamford Bridge,
continues to be sidelined with a knee injury while Charly Musonda is also
unavailable due to a groin strain.
Opta stats
Everton have lost their last three Premier League games against Chelsea by
an aggregate score of 0-10, losing 2-0 in the reverse fixture in August this
season.
The Blues have won their last four matches against the Toffees in all
competitions, their best run against them since a run of five wins between
April 2002 and November 2003.
Chelsea have won three matches against Everton in all competitions in 2017 -
only once previously have they beaten a single opponent on four occasions
within a calendar year (1990 vs Crystal Palace).
Sam Allardyce has won his last two Premier League encounters with Chelsea -
as many as he won in his first 24 against the Blues. Allardyce will become
the first Premier League manager to win against Chelsea with five different
clubs if he wins this game; he is currently tied on four with Roy Hodgson.
Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals in 16 Premier League appearances so far
this season - this is the fewest tally of games that it's taken him to reach
10 goals in a league season since 2011-12 (14 games).
Cesc Fabregas has had a hand in seven goals in his last five Premier League
appearances at Goodison Park (three goals, four assists).
Alvaro Morata has had a hand in seven goals in his seven away Premier League
appearances this season (5 goals, 2 assists).
Merson's prediction
It was a lovely goal that won it for Chelsea against Bournemouth. To
overcome a setback like that late equaliser and then still win the game
takes some doing. That will give them a real lift coming into this. Extra
time would have been a killer.
Everton have improved a lot, but they are due a slip up having put so much
into recent matches. This is the sort of game that Chelsea will step up for.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
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