Team News: Everton
Everton have no new injury concerns in which to worry themselves about and in fact have a larger squad in which to choose from since their 0-0 draw with Cardiff two weeks ago.
While Antolin Alcaraz is still unlikely to be fit to make his debut as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Everton got themselves busy on transfer deadline day and will also be able to call upon James McCarthy and Gareth Barry following their deadline day moves.
Fellow new signing Romelu Lukaku will have to wait for his Everton debut as league rules dictate he is unable to participate against his parent club, so Ross Barkley, fresh from making his England debut against Moldova will be required more than ever following the departure of Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United.
Team News: Chelsea
Chelsea’s main injury concern was regarding Eden Hazard after he hobbled out of a training session with Belgium in the week, but it appears he has been passed fit to at least take his place on the Chelsea bench this weekend.
Otherwise, Chelsea look unlikely to be able to call upon the services of new signing Samuel Eto’o as he nurses a knock, so the burden will fall to Demba Ba, Andre Schurrle and Fernando Torres to net the goals, while John Obi Mikel is also set to miss out with injury.
Recent Form:
Everton remain unbeaten in the league after three games, but they are also yet to feature in the win column either, having drawn all three of their opening matches. Only two goals have been scored so far and both came on the opening weekend, with their last two matches having ended goalless.
Chelsea have started in solid, if unspectacular form, having opened up with quickfire victories over Hull and Aston Villa, before that turgid 0-0 draw at Old Trafford that means they have garnered seven points from the opening three matches to keep them hot on the heels of early season leaders, Liverpool.
Players To Watch
Everton: Ross Barkley
Fresh from making his England debut on Friday against Moldova, all eyes will be on Barkley to maintain the club form that saw him given his opportunity with the senior squad.
Barkley was in sparkling form prior to the international break with his passing accuracy of 93% catching the eye, while he created five chances and netted once himself in the opening three fixtures. With Fellaini now gone, Barkley’s importance to the Everton cause will only increase the level of pressure on his young shoulders.
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| Ross Barkley Passing Accuracy |
With Eden Hazard’s participation in the game potentially not to be risked, the burden of creativity for Chelsea will fall upon the small frame of Oscar, who will hope he can maintain his August form as September’s domestic action gets underway.
Oscar has already created six chances for his teammates in his three appearances, while he also netted in the opening day victory over Hull. He has also managed to take on his opponents on four occasions this season, completing 57% of his attempts to take on his man.
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| Oscar Chances Created |
With Everton having failed to score in their last two matches and Chelsea only conceding one so far this season, the home side look set for a tough battle to get anything from this match, especially with only Arouna Kone to choose from on the attacking front.
With the amount of attacking options at Jose Mourinho’s disposal, it would seem unlikely that Chelsea will fail to get on the scoresheet themselves, so an away win seems a likely option, though not by a significant amount.
Everton 0-2 Chelsea
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