- Chelsea have scored more goals against Everton than any other team in their history: 261
- Mourinhoโs side have earned a league-high 14 points from losing positions
- Everton havenโt won any of their last 4 away games, not scoring in their last two
With Chelsea top of the Premier League and Everton pushing for the top four, this game should be a real cracker on Saturday (Watch live on NBCSN, 7:45am ET and online via Live Extra) at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinhoโs side lost 1-0 to Roberto Martinezโs Everton team back in September, as the Portuguese boss suffered his first defeat in charge of Chelsea in his second spell. Chelsea are top of the standings and have the chance to extend their lead to four points if they beat the Toffees at home this weekend.
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Chelsea are still unbeaten at home in the league under Mourinho, with that streak now extended to 73 games. Against Everton on Saturday they will come up against a talented side that will cause them plenty of problems with their fluid attacking play under young Spanish coach Martinez. But Everton have not beaten Chelsea away in the league for 20 years, so Chelsea must fancy their chances. But will Mourinhoโs men have one eye on their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday? Time will tell, but this match should be one to savor.
In teams news Chelsea will welcome back captain John Terry after injury, but David Luiz is ruled out with a hip injury. Everton forward Romelu Lukaku is fit but unable to face his parent club Chelsea.
What theyโre saying
Jose Mourinho on facing Everton: โThey are a very good team, theyโre playing well and getting good results. They are in a position in the table that reflects the quality of their team and obviously it will be a very difficult match for us. They defend well and are dangerous on the counter attack. They have a very experienced midfield with players like Barry and Osman who give them stability to their game. They are a team with good balance and they are a difficult opponent.โ
Roberto Martinez on the challenges vs. Chelsea: โStamford Bridge is one of the hardest places to go and get three points, and I think itโs going to be a terrific measurement for ourselves after the disappointment that we had at White Hart Lane. Itโs something we need to correct, to use that experience that when you are the better side, you need to win the football game. Chelsea have got terrific home form with this manager, and not just this season. Itโs an incredible challenge but probably internally we need that.โ
Predictions
With Chelseaโs incredible home record under Mourinho still intact, itโs games like these that seem very dangerous. Chelsea are top of the league, but lost 2-0 to Manchester City last weekend in the fifth round of the FA Cup and the Blues also have the distraction of a Champions League knockout game coming up. Everton narrowly lost 1-0 away at Tottenham in their last trip to London, but played well and they can definitely cause Chelsea issues. If I was a betting man, Iโd go for the draw. But something tells me Chelsea will grind this one out.
