Chelsea vs Everton Predictions

• Everton have racked up a league-high 14 draws this season
• Chelsea’s last seven games have featured three wins, two draws and two defeats
• Everton have drawn four of their last seven matches 1-1
• Tyrique George has scored twice in Chelsea’s last four matches

Maresca’s Chelsea face uphill battle to make top five

There is little margin for error for Chelsea in the race to make the top five in the Premier League but the Blues could drop more points at home to Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea are competing with Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa for the Champions League places but stringing together wins has been tough for them.

Enzo Maresca’s side have lost just one of their last seven Premier League assignments but they have also won only two of their last five games in the top flight.

And only once since mid-December have they followed one Premier League win with another – when they beat relegation-threatened pair Southampton and Leicester back-to-back in February and March.

Tough Toffees can be stubborn

Chelsea have dropped points against mid-table Brentford and struggling Ipswich this month, while they needed goals in the 83rd and 90th minutes to defeat rivals Fulham 2-1 last time out.

And while they have a big enough squad to rotate personnel, Maresca will still have one eye on Thursday’s Conference League semi-final with Djugarden, so do not be surprised if they slip up against the Toffees.

It has not been a sensational season for Everton but they have undoubtedly stabilised under David Moyes, who has continued to make them tough to break down.

They were beaten 2-0 by a resurgent Manchester City last Saturday but the score was 0-0 until the 84th minute of that contest and Everton can be a tough unit to break down.

They have lost just two of their last 13 matches in the Premier League – those defeats coming against City and Liverpool – and they are the division’s draw specialists.

Stamford Bridge set for stalemate

Six of their previous ten league assignments have finished all square with Everton nicking points off Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in that run.

They held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw back in December and another draw could be on the cards when the sides lock horns at Stamford Bridge.

As for a correct score selection, four of Everton’s last seven matches have finished 1-1 and that looks as good a bet as any.

It is tougher to settle on a goalscorer pick but teenage winger Tyrique George scored against Fulham last Sunday and was on target in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw in the Conference League, so he could be worth backing.