Overview
Everton drew 0-0 with Arsenal last weekend in a game in which they only managed two shots, a result that once again highlighted the Toffees' attacking weaknesses this season.
Sean Dyche's strikers have only scored 14 goals, just above bottom-placed Southampton. Notably, in their last 5 matches, they have failed to score in 4.
Chelsea have been playing very consistently since the beginning of the season. In all competitions, coach Enzo Maresca's team has an 11-match unbeaten streak, including 9 wins. With wins in all 5 recent rounds, The Blues are even considered a candidate for this year's Premier League title.
Unlike Everton, Chelsea is a team with an explosive attack. With a stable attacking squad such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Nkunku, Madueke and Joao Felix, The Blues are currently the team with the most goals in both the Premier League (37 goals) and Europa Conference League (26 goals).
Notably, Cole Palmer has scored 3 goals in the last 2 away games for Chelsea. The England international is still the number 1 hope in Maresca's attack at the moment.
Everton can be confident as they have avoided defeat in six of their last seven home games against Chelsea, winning five of them. They also won at home against their opponents last season.
Human resources situation
Dwight McNeil missed Everton's goalless draw with Arsenal last week, but could be fit enough to return to the squad this weekend.
On the other side of the front line, after fielding a reserve team in the 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers in the Europa Conference League, Maresca is expected to return to full strength. However, Marc Cucurella will be absent due to suspension.
Expected lineup:
Everton: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gueye, Doucoure, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Veiga, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
The match between Everton and Chelsea takes place at 9:00 p.m. on December 22 (Vietnam time).
