Overview
- Chelsea arrive after a bruising Champions League exit to PSG by an 8–2 aggregate, having conceded in eight straight league matches and lost three of their last four in all competitions.
- The table is tight with Chelsea sixth and Everton eighth, and a home win would cut the gap to two points and strengthen the Toffees’ European hopes.
- Chelsea’s defensive options are stretched with Reece James and Filip Jorgensen out and Trevoh Chalobah a major doubt, as Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile are monitored after illness.
- Everton could welcome back centre-backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, though both remain uncertain, with Jack Grealish and Charly Alcaraz sidelined and loanee Tyrique George ineligible.
- Form trends pull in opposite directions as Everton’s home results have been inconsistent despite losing only one of their last eight home league meetings with Chelsea, while the Blues boast the league’s second-best away points tally and lean on João Pedro’s prolific road form.