The major issue is whether new acquisition Marc Cucurella may play alongside fellow signings Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly when Chelsea travels to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday night. Chelsea has recently struggled on the road against Everton, dropping points on each of their last four trips to the Blue side of Merseyside.
Chelsea team update
However, they will be hoping to break their losing streak and start the new season on a high note. The absence of Everton’s star player Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the suspension of Salomon Rondon for his red card against Crystal Palace on the last weekend of the previous campaign give Thomas Tuchel’s team an early advantage.
Edouard Mendy is the goalkeeper
Since joining Chelsea from Rennes two years ago, the Cameroonian goalkeeper has rapidly established himself as Tuchel’s starting No. 1 and appears certain to stay in that position this year. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mendy’s assistant, has been mentioned in transfer rumours this summer.
The most expensive goalkeeper of all time, a Spaniard, joined Chelsea for £72 million in 2018, but he may be on his way out on loan to Napoli before the month is up. This transfer window saw the arrival of Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire, who has since been loaned back to the MLS team.
Everton vs Chelsea prediction
As Everton takes on Chelsea at Goodison Park tonight in the opening game of the Premier League, Frank Lampard will play against his former team.
When Lampard was hired as Everton’s manager last season—his first position since being fired by Chelsea the season before—the team narrowly avoided being relegated.
After losing Richarlison, Everton appears to be in for a similar struggle this year, and Chelsea’s position in the top four appears to be in jeopardy as a result of Arsenal and Manchester United’s summer roster upgrades.
Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Marc Cucurella have joined Thomas Tuchel’s team after a hectic summer of transfers under the club’s new owners.
Here is all the information you require.
When is Everton vs Chelsea?
On Saturday, August 6, the game begins at 5:30 p.m. at Goodison Park in Liverpool.
How do I watch it?
Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League will broadcast it live, with coverage of Saturday Night Football beginning at 5:00 p.m. If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you may watch without one by purchasing a NOWTV Day Pass here. Although some of the links in this article may earn us commission, we never let this affect the article’s content. The Independent’s journalism is supported in part by these revenues.
Team update
The news that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be sidelined for around “six weeks” owing to a knee injury sustained in training has shocked Everton. Dele Alli might be the line leader as Solomon Rondon is also unavailable owing to a suspension from the last campaign. Yerry Mina is back after recovering from an injury, but Allan and Seamus Coleman shouldn’t play because Tom Davies, Andre Gomes, and Andros Townsend are all out.
Despite being signed in time to be listed in Chelsea’s squad, Marc Cucurella is unlikely to play despite the fact that Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly should make their debuts. Due to a hamstring injury, Timo Werner is questionable for the match, but the forward has also been the focus of rumours over his future and might not have played regardless. Ben Chilwell might not be totally healthy, but Emerson Palmieri might start in Ben Chilwell’s place given that Marcos Alonso is about to sign with Barcelona.
Predicted line ups
Pickford, Godfrey, Keane, Tarkowski, Patterson, Doucoure, Iwobi, Mykolenko, Gordon, Alli, and McNeil are the Everton players.
Chelsea’s lineup includes Mendy, Koulibaly, Silva, James, Kante, Kovacic, and Emerson, as well as Mount, Havertz, and Sterling.
Odds
- Everton: 5/1
- Draw: 16/5
- Chelsea: 4/6
Prediction
Everton will put in a lot of effort, but they seem to be a very weak team that is not prepared for the new season. Even though Chelsea’s preparations weren’t great, you can generally count on their defence, and Everton shouldn’t present too many difficulties without a striker. In a close opening victory for the Blues, Raheem Sterling might score the game-winning goal.
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