Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Everton v Chelsea
Everton host league leaders Chelsea still smarting from a disappointing, bruising Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield last weekend. The spirit in the Toffees camp must have been deflated after failing to capitalise on Liverpool’s first-half red card but at least David Moyes’ won’t have to work too hard to lift his players for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Moyes’ depleted team picked up an impressive point at Stamford Bridge back in December after coming back from behind twice in a 3-3 draw. They face another tough encounter this midweek especially after Chelsea’s 2-0 home win over Arsenal. The West Londoners were not at their free-flowing best against the Gunners but the victory was relatively comfortable nonetheless. Ancelotti’s team showed both their defensive strength and ruthlessness to their finishing and rarely looked in danger despite Arsenal dominating the possession. Everton will be a very different proposition as they will be far more physical and will put Chelsea under pressure from set-pieces, an area where Carlo’s team have not been good this season.
Only Liverpool have been able to leave Goodison Park with an away win in Everton’s last eleven home league games, so Chelsea will have to be at their best this week. However, Chelsea’s record against Everton is very, very good. In fact, the Toffees have not beaten the league leaders in the last 24 meetings in all competitions (15 defeats). This run includes ten visits to Goodison without defeat (6 wins) so Chelsea won’t be overawed by this trip.
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Didier Drogba will be the main threat to the home side. The big Ivory Coast striker scored two against Arsenal taking his tally to eight goals in his last eight league games. He has also scored three goals in his last two appearances against the Toffees. Drogba’s team-mate Nicolas Anelka has been the bane of Everton in the past too with eight Premier League goals against them. The Frenchman has only scored more career league goals against Blackburn.
This match should be extremely tight. Although Chelsea have fared the better in recent clashes, it’s worth noting that five of the last six league encounters have been drawn. There won’t be much in this one but I cannot see Chelsea dropping points here after working so hard against Arsenal to go top.
Ancelotti’s team will be determined and disciplined at Goodison. Once again they are more likely to give a professional performance rather than a breathtaking one. John Terry has shown that on the pitch he is still the team’s leader and with him at one end and Drogba at the other, I am backing a home win on Premier 10. One single winner scooped the entire £30,000 Premier 10 jackpot at the weekend as the lucky Birmingham City fan predicted all ten Premier League matches correctly. Could it be you this week?
Tags: Alan Hansen, Chelsea, Everton, Football betting, Football Pools, online betting, Premier 10, Premier League
