Chelsea can, if only briefly, climb to the top of the Premier League table with a victory at Everton on Sunday.
The Blues once again took advantage of dropped Liverpool points last weekend as they overcame bogey side Brentford 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Up next is another potential banana skin, with the Toffees enjoying their fair share of success against the Blues in recent years, especially on Merseyside.
The west London club are unbeaten since October with their deficit to the league leaders a mere two points. They concluded their Conference League league phase on Thursday night with a 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers as Enzo Maresca once again used the extremities of his mammoth squad.
Everton fans have had the sweet relief of not having to watch their side too much this month, and Goodison is bound to be buoyant on Sunday given the news surrounding the Friedkins’ takeover.
Sean Dyche’s side beat Wolves 4-0 last time out on home soil and held Arsenal to a goalless stalemate at the Emirates last weekend. They’re up to 16th.
Dwight McNeil has been a key cog for the Toffees since joining the club and has been impressive again this season. However, the midfielder missed last week’s draw at Arsenal through injury and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit for Chelsea’s visit – Sean Dyche told his press conference it’s “touch and go” whether he’ll feature.
Everton are certainly without striker Armando Broja, who is ineligible to face his former club on Sunday, while James Garner is suffering from a muscle injury and could miss out again. Youssef Chermiti and Tim Iroegbunam are both sidelined.
Marc Cucurella started on Thursday with Maresca knowing that the Spaniard is suspended for Sunday’s game. Renato Veiga, who started at centre-back against Shamrock Rovers, will likely fill in for the left-back at Goodison Park.
Benoit Badiashile was set for a run in the team following Wesley Fofana’s latest injury setback, but the left-footed defender has sustained an issue himself which should see Tosin Adarabioyo included in Sunday’s XI alongside Levi Colwill.
Reece James and Carney Chukwuemeka are sidelined, while Mykhailo Mudryk is out for the foreseeable having failed a drug test in the week.
Chelsea lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Caicedo, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
