Chelsea’s pursuit of European football next season remains in contention despite their recent setback, a 2-2 draw against the struggling Sheffield United. Positioned ninth in the Premier League, the Blues find themselves within reach of European competition slots, trailing sixth-placed Manchester United by a mere five points with a game in hand. Should Mauricio Pochettino’s side maintain momentum, securing a berth in tier two or three of European competition next term appears plausible.
However, Chelsea faces a pivotal challenge as they host Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday night. The visiting Toffees, presently embroiled in turmoil, received a two-point deduction from the Premier League for breaching profitability and sustainability regulations. This sanction leaves Everton languishing in 16th place, precariously two points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand over 18th-placed Luton Town.
Chelsea have dropped 2 points against Sheffield United, 2 against Burnley, 6 vs Wolves, 5 vs Brentford, 3 vs Everton, 3 vs Forest, 2 vs Bournemouth…
Just so, so mediocre.
— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) April 7, 2024
In facing Chelsea, Sean Dyche’s Everton must endeavor to salvage at least a point to steer clear of the relegation battle. Everton’s offensive struggles have been glaring this season, evident in their meager tally of 16 goals away from home, averaging merely one goal per game. Furthermore, their scoring prowess in the first half of away fixtures remains modest, with goals coming in just a quarter of such encounters.
On the flip side, Chelsea boasts a potent attack, evident in their consistent goal-scoring record, having found the net in each of their last 14 Premier League fixtures. Nevertheless, defensive frailties have plagued the Blues, conceding 60% of their total post-restart goals at home.
Analyzing Chelsea’s home form reveals a tendency to dominate proceedings early on, with six of their 14 first-half goals occurring between the 16th and 30th minute. Conversely, Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities on the road are underscored by their conceding 24 goals away from home this season, with half of them coming in each half of play.
🚨 The following injury update has been issued ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League fixture against Everton:
● Ben Chilwell – in partial team training.
● Axel Disasi – undergoing medical assessment.
● Enzo Fernandez – undergoing medical assessment.
● Robert Sanchez – absent… pic.twitter.com/pmPKD2Uwzv
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) April 12, 2024
Notably, both Chelsea and Everton share a propensity for halftime stalemates in their away encounters. Yet, Chelsea’s attacking prowess at home coupled with Everton’s defensive frailties suggest a favorable outcome for the hosts.
Adding further weight to Chelsea’s prospects, both The MoneyMan and MoneyBall are backing them to secure a 2-0 victory over Everton. Placing a R250 bet on Chelsea at odds of 7/10, they anticipate a return of R425 including the wager.
Moreover, Everton’s defensive statistics against teams placed 10th and above, as well as Cole Palmer’s season statistics, would further enrich the analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of the upcoming clash.
