Everton vs Chelsea, Premier League, Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, 22 December

In the Premier League (EPL) on Sunday, Everton is all set to lock horns with Chelsea at Goodison Park. This side, Everton is battling to stay out of relegation, while on the other side, Chelsea is focused on the title race. Everton, currently in 16th place, will rely on their strong defence, having kept four clean sheets in their last five matches. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will play a key role in keeping Chelsea’s attack at bay. Chelsea, in 2nd place and unbeaten in their last ten games, is the favourites to win today. Let’s hope for a good game, and here’s the Prediction and Preview for the game.

Everton vs Chelsea Prediction & Betting tip

For the clash between Everton and Chelsea, our recommended betting tip is to go for “Under 1.5 Goals.” This choice is based on several key factors from our match facts and tips. Table: Betting Tip

Everton vs. Chelsea Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Under 1.5 Goals	5.2
Reasons for the Betting Tip:

Historically, less than 2.5 goals have been scored in 75% of their last 8 meetings, making it a low-scoring affair.
Everton has shown defensive solidity recently, with four clean sheets in their last five games, indicating a b defense.
The match weather at Goodison Park includes light rain, potentially slowing down play and leading to fewer goal-scoring opportunities. Considering these points, betting on “Under 1.5 Goals” is a solid choice for this game.

Everton vs. Chelsea Odds

As we approach the exciting Premier League clash between Everton and Chelsea, it’s worth diving into the odds to see where the smart money might go. Chelsea, sitting comfortably in 2nd place, is the bookmaker’s favorite to take the win at Goodison Park.

Everton vs. Chelsea Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Everton	4.85
Draw	4.08
Chelsea	1.66

Chelsea’s b position in the league, with a powerful offense averaging 3.8 goals per game in the last five matches, makes them the clear odds-on favorite. Everton, while showing defensive prowess with four clean sheets in their last five outings, faces tough odds of 4.85 for a home win. For those expecting a tight contest, betting on a draw at 4.08 could offer decent returns.

Everton Team Analysis

Everton Recent Performance DWLDD

Everton’s recent form has been robust, securing four clean sheets in their last five matches. Their defense has been commendable, though their offense has only averaged 0.8 goals per game in the same period. With a single loss and three draws, they have shown resilience. Despite their defensive prowess, they need to find the back of the net more consistently to climb the table.

Home team	Away team	Result
Arsenal	Everton	0-0 (Draw)
Everton	Wolverhampton Wanderers	4-0 (Win)
Manchester United	Everton	4-0 (Loss)
Everton	Brentford	0-0 (Draw)
West Ham United	Everton	0-0 (Draw)

Everton Key Players

Everton will heavily rely on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to lead the attack against Chelsea. With Dwight McNeil, their top scorer, likely sidelined due to a knee injury, the onus falls on Calvert-Lewin to provide the firepower. Abdoulaye Doucoure, playing the attacking midfielder role, will need to orchestrate the play and create scoring opportunities. Defensively, the duo of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite has been solid, contributing to Everton’s clean sheets in four of the last five games. They will be key in neutralizing Chelsea’s offensive threats, particularly from Cole Palmer. Expected lineup for Everton:

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Defenders: Ashley Young, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko
Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Orel Mangala, Jack Harrison, Iliman Ndiaye, Abdoulaye Doucoure
Forward: Dominic Calvert-Lewin Individual battles, such as Calvert-Lewin versus Chelsea’s defenders and Branthwaite against Chelsea’s forward Nicolas Jackson, will be pivotal.

Everton Suspensions & Injuries

Everton enters the match against Chelsea with some notable injury concerns that could impact their performance. Dwight McNeil, their top scorer, is doubtful due to a knee injury, meaning they might miss his attacking prowess. Other key absentees include Youssef Chermiti with a foot injury and Tim Iroegbunam with a leg injury, both potentially returning in late December. James Garner’s muscle injury also sidelines him for now. These injuries could force Sean Dyche to adjust his tactics and rely more heavily on other players, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Dwight McNeil	Knee injury	Doubtful
Youssef Chermiti	Foot injury	Late December 2024
Tim Iroegbunam	Leg injury	Late December 2024
James Garner	Muscle injury	Late December 2024

### Everton Tactics and Formation

Everton Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 4-4-1-1
Key Forward: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Midfield Stability: Idrissa Gueye, Orel Mangala
Wing Play: Jack Harrison (Right), Iliman Ndiaye (Left)
Defensive Solidity: Four clean sheets in the last five games.

Notable Strategy: Everton, under Sean Dyche, typically focuses on a solid defensive setup, looking to frustrate opponents and capitalize on counter-attacks. With most goals conceded in the 76-90 minute interval, they will need to maintain concentration late in the game.

Given Dwight McNeil’s doubtful status, expect greater reliance on Doucoure to support Calvert-Lewin in attack, emphasizing a b midfield to disrupt Chelsea’s play.

Chelsea Team Analysis

Chelsea Recent Performance WWWWW

Chelsea comes into this match in scintillating form, riding a wave of victories. Their attacking prowess has been on full display, averaging a remarkable 3.8 goals per game in their last five outings. Despite their attacking dominance, maintaining a clean sheet has proven challenging, with none in their last five matches. Recent Performances:

Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers: 5-1 (Win)
Chelsea vs. Brentford: 2-1 (Win)
FC Astana vs. Chelsea: 1-3 (Win)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea: 3-4 (Win)

Home Team	Away Team	Result
Chelsea	Shamrock Rovers	5-1 (Win)
Chelsea	Brentford	2-1 (Win)
FC Astana	Chelsea	1-3 (Win)
Tottenham Hotspur	Chelsea	3-4 (Win)
Southampton	Chelsea	1-5 (Win)

With Enzo Maresca at the helm, Chelsea will be keen to maintain their high-scoring consistency and tighten up defensively as they aim to close the gap at the top of the table.

### Chelsea Key Players

Chelsea’s standout performer and top scorer, Cole Palmer, has been key to their attacking success with 11 goals this season. His creativity and finishing will be crucial in breaking down Everton’s resilient defense. Another player to watch is Enzo Fernández, expected to marshal the midfield effectively alongside Roméo Lavia. Jadon Sancho, operating from the left wing, will look to exploit Everton’s defense, particularly in the last 15 minutes when the home team is most vulnerable.
Expected lineup for Chelsea:

Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Moisés Caicedo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto
Midfielders: Roméo Lavia, Enzo Fernández, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho
Forward: Nicolas Jackson

### Chelsea Suspensions & Injuries

Chelsea is currently dealing with a number of key injuries that could impact their performance against Everton. Several first-team players are either doubtful or out for this match, which may force coach Enzo Maresca to make significant adjustments.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Reece James	Hamstring Injury	Back in training
Wesley Fofana	Hamstring Injury	Mid-January 2025
Benoît Badiashile	Muscle injury	Early January 2025
Roméo Lavia	Muscle injury	Doubtful
João Félix	Knock injury	Doubtful
Mykhaylo Mudryk	Illness	Doubtful
Carney Chukwuemeka	Virus	Doubtful
Ben Chilwell	Virus	Doubtful

These absences, particularly in defense with Reece James and Wesley Fofana, could make Chelsea vulnerable, especially against a disciplined Everton side. Potential replacements will need to step up to maintain Chelsea’s push for the top of the table.

### Chelsea Tactics and Formation

Chelsea’s Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Forward: Nicolas Jackson
Midfield Trio: Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Noni Madueke
Defensive Strength: Highly mobile and adaptable defense with center backs Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo
Notable Strategy: Aggressive pressing and quick counter-attacks, exploiting the wings with the pace of Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke

Enzo Maresca has crafted a dynamic team that relies on fluid positioning and high pressing to unsettle the opposition. Cole Palmer, with his exceptional vision, pulls the strings from the attacking midfield spot, supported by the industrious Enzo Fernández.

The use of overlapping full-backs like Moisés Caicedo and Malo Gusto adds offensive width, making them a formidable side.

## Everton vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Statistics

Let’s take a closer look at the recent head-to-head matchups between Everton and Chelsea over the past few seasons:

Home	Away	Result
Chelsea	Everton	6-0
Everton	Chelsea	2-0
Chelsea	Everton	2-2
Everton	Chelsea	0-1
Everton	Chelsea	1-0

Venue and Weather

Goodison Park, with a capacity of approximately 39,572, will host this thrilling Premier League encounter between Everton and Chelsea. Known for its passionate home support, the stadium can be an intimidating venue for visitors, potentially giving Everton a much-needed edge.

The weather forecast for match day includes light rain with temperatures around 5°C, 69% humidity, and wind speeds of nearly 5 m/s. These damp and chilly conditions may make the pitch slippery, impacting players’ footing and ball control. Everton, under Sean Dyche, may adopt a more cautious and defensive approach, while Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca might need to adjust his free-flowing attacking tactics to cope with the adverse weather.