30th April 2017 Kickoff: 2000hrs Everton v Chelsea – Football – England – Premier League It is now getting to the crunch time (or as Sir Alex Ferguson called it, squeaky bum time) in the battle for the title. Chelsea have been on for over six months now and at one point appeared to be home and dried when holding a double digit lead over Tottenham. Now, with, only five games left for the top two, there is just four points in it. Four points is still a sizeable lead with so few games left but Everton away is never an easy prospect and you get a feeling that Sunday’s game will go a long way to determining where the league title ends up.
Despite some disappointments and a decidedly sticky run towards the end of 2016, it has been a positive first season in charge for Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park. The Toffees are well clear in seventh spot and still hold out hopes of a top six finish come the end of the campaign. Romelu Lukaku is out in front in the scoring charts whilst a number of young players have made their mark in recent weeks and months which suggests the future is very bright for Everton. Speculation about Lukaku refuses to go away, though, and the strongest rumour remains a return to Sunday’s opponents. How that plays out remains to be seen but Everton are on course for their best ever home record in the Premier League having won 12 of their 17 games at Goodison, losing just once. That loss came against Liverpool in December and since then they have won all eight home games in the league, a ninth straight league win would certainly be welcome in part of north London.
Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United earlier this month could have been a defining moment in this Premier League season (and may well be) but Antonio Conte’s men have regathered themselves to book a place in the FA Cup final and tick another game off in their quest to win this title by seeing off Southampton at home. It has been that mentality and desire which has seen them come through so many difficult stages of this season because despite winning both games in the last week, they have not been overly impressive. Indeed, Spurs will consider themselves very unfortunate to have lost at Wembley last Saturday whilst the Gary Cahill goal just before half time was a crucial turning point against the Saints. Nevertheless, the title remains theirs to lose and Conte will be well aware that this weekend’s game with Everton will be massive in determine if they are to go all the way, especially as Spurs host Arsenal later on Sunday.
Everton v Chelsea Betting Tip
Spurs and Chelsea are the only two teams to have a better home record than Everton this season which is a testament to the work of Koeman and his players. The consistency that they have shown at home has been missing under previous management and if they can continue that, plus improve their form on the road with suitable investment, the Toffees will not be far away from a top four challenge. In the more immediate future Everton will want to prove themselves against the league leaders and make life as difficult as possible for Conte’s team. Chelsea hold the best away record of any team, though, and their attitude and discipline has been first class all season when playing on the road.
Interestingly, Chelsea’s only away win against any of the other top seven they have played came against Manchester City in December. They have lost to Arsenal and both Manchester clubs without scoring and there is just the sense that if you can unsettle their back three you can disrupt their system sufficiently to get the win. The defence have also proven susceptible to balls into the box which Everton are known to do at home with Lukaku leading the line. The hosts are excellent in front of their home fans and they will be smarting having lost 5-0 to Chelsea earlier in the season. Home win.
Everton 3/1 Marathon Bet
