Chelsea vs Everton: Blues aim to keep Champions League hopes alive against wounded Toffees | OneFootball

Chelsea take on Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, with their Champions League ambitions hanging by a thread.

The Blues needed late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto to secure a 2-1 comeback win against Fulham last time out.

They’d be keen to build on that victory against an Everton side reeling from a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City.

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Enzo Maresca got a helping hand from his mentor Pep Guardiola in midweek as City beat Aston Villa 2-0.

That win helped the Blues cling to sixth place, just two points outside the top five, and they could return to the fold with a win against Everton.

Saturday’s clash could make or break Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions, especially with games against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest on the horizon.

However, they’ll fancy their chances, having gone 29 games unbeaten at home against the Toffees, which is a club record.

The last time they hosted their Merseyside counterparts, they ran out 6-0 winners, with Cole Palmer running the show.

Chelsea are also unbeaten in their last four games (W2, D2), but they need a win against Everton to stand a fighting chance in the top-five race.

Repeating their previous dominance could be tricky for Chelsea this time around, with Everton under new management.

David Moyes has brought a sense of stability and belief back to Everton in what is turning out to be a memorable final season at Goodison Park.

An impressive nine-match unbeaten streak has been the highlight of Moyes’ tenure, although his side have wobbled in recent games.

They’ve only won one of their last eight league games, although five have ended in stalemate (L2), claiming notable scalps against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Only Liverpool and City have beaten them in that run, but Chelsea must pile on their misery to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

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Chelsea are bracing for more bad news on the injury front, with concerns that right-back Malo Gusto could miss the remainder of the season.

He was forced off at half time against Fulham, and Chelsea are now sweating over his long-term fitness.

Maresca is expected to name a strong squad to face Everton, but there’s a decent chance George could start after his eye-catching cameo at Craven Cottage.

Palmer will also be hoping to end his 16-game goal drought against a side he famously scored four against last season, becoming the first player to manage that against Everton in the 21st century.

On the flip side, Everton will be without James Tarkowski, who is set to miss the rest of the season after limping off against City with a hamstring problem.

Michael Keane didn’t cover himself in glory as his replacement, so that honour could go to Jake O’Brien at the weekend.

Armando Broja will not be able to face his parent club, so Beto will take the mantle upfront with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still injured.

Chelsea potential starting line-up:

Everton potential starting line-up: