Chelsea ended their two-game losing streak in midweek as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Premier League. And next up they travel to Goodison Park to take on a beaten-down Everton side.
With the win, the Blues have maintained their gap with the other sides fighting for the Champions League spots but things could get really hard from here onwards for Frank Lampard.
The Blues manager is expected to make a few changes to his first XI during the weekend as he looks to rotate his squad in order to keep his players fresh during the busy winter schedule.
Lampard opted for a change in formation vs Villa but he is expected to return back to his usual 4-3-3 way when they travel to Merseyside on Saturday.
Chelsea team news vs Everton:
Antonio Rudiger has finally returned back to training with the manager hinting he will be starting a game very soon. And we believe the Everton game will be the one where the German makes his comeback to the first XI.
Rudiger is expected to partner Tomori in central defence after the latter was rested in midweek against Villa.
Reece James has become a mainstay for Lampard at right-back and the youngster will keep his place vs the Toffees but Azpilicueta is expected to make way for Emerson at left-back.
Jorginho was rested in midweek as Mason Mount played in midfield but the Italian will return to the first XI to partner N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
Ross Barkley missed Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa through illness and as per the latest reports, the England international could miss the trip to Everton as well.
Mason Mount is expected to move to left-wing as Pulisic moves to the other side to replace Willian. If this formation holds true then Callum Hudson-Odoi will once again start on the bench for Chelsea.
Tammy Abraham returned back from injury and he immediately proved his worth to Chelsea with a goal against Villa and there’s no way Lampard will even think of benching him at Goodison Park.
But since the manager will be eager to rotate his players, Michy Batshuayi might come on during the second half but only if Chelsea have managed to wrap up all the three points.
Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Everton:
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Defenders: Tomori, Rudiger/Zouma, Reece James, Emerson.
Midfielders:Â Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic.
Attackers:Â Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham.
Injury updates courtesy Premier Injuries.
