Chelsea come into this contest boasting their longest-unbeaten Premier League run of the campaign (three wins, four draws), yet consistency remains an ongoing issue for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. That was best captured last week when they downed Manchester United with a remarkable 4-3 win before being held to a 2-2 draw by basement boys Sheffield United at Bramall Lane – dding to their record of scoring and conceding at least twice in each of their last seven competitive matches.No top-flight side has ever done so in eight consecutive games before, and that’ll be a record Chelsea won’t want to achieve. The Blues do at least start the round just five points from the top-six with a game in hand on United in sixth, so there should still be plenty of motivation to get among the wins here, while a proud record of no home league defeat against Everton since 1994 should inspire plenty of confidence (15 wins, 13 draws).Arteta: We should have scored five, if this defeat disturbs us we are not strong enoughThe Toffees travel south on the back of another points deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, meaning they’re now eight points worse off than they should be based on their results this season. Sean Dyche’s men now face the prospect of potentially finishing the round in the bottom three if results go against them and if they can’t improve on their rotten Stamford Bridge record here.The Liverpudlians have been struggling offensively – Everton have only scored more than once in one of their last 14 Premier League games, last time being in the 2-2 draws against the Spurs.With that points deduction, Everton would have actually started this round in the relegation zone had they not finally ended their 13-game winless league run last time out against Burnley (1-0). Just once previously have they managed successive league wins this season – a run of four victories in December – while they could also secure a league double over Chelsea for the first time since 1978/79.”They are not training, so we don’t know if they can be involved” 👀Mauricio Pochettino confirms that Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi are doubts for Chelsea’s clash with Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/mvk8M6D7EH— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 12, 2024 There can be no Chelsea talk without mentioning their pretty much only bright, shining light. One more assist would see Cole Palmer become the first Chelsea player to register double figures for both goals (16) and assists (9) in his first Premier League season with the club.On the other side, enjoying a fine run of late, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is hoping to score in three consecutive league games for the first time since August 2021.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 33Saturday Newcastle – Tottenham 4-0 (2-0)/Isak 30, 50, Gordon 32, Schar 87/Brentford – Sheffield Utd 2-0 (0-0)/Arblaster 64 og, Onyeka 90+3/Nott.Forest – Wolverhampton 2-2 (1-1)/Gibbs-White 45+2, Danilo 57 – Cunha 40, 62/Man.City – Luton 5-1 (1-0)/Hashioka 2 og, Kovacic 64, Haaland 76 pen, Doku 87, Gvardiol 90+3 – Barkley 81/Burnley – Brighton 1-1 (0-0)/Brownhill 75 – Muric 79 og/Bournemouth – Man.Utd. 2-2 (2-1)/Solanke 16, Kluivert 36 – Fernandes 31, 65 pen/Sunday West Ham – Fulham 0-2 (0-1)/Pereira 9, 72/Liverpool – Crystal Palace 0-1 (0-1)/Eze 14/Arsenal – Aston Villa 0-2 (0-0)/Bailey 84, Watkins 87/Monday 22:00: (1.70) Chelsea (3.70) Everton (5.10)***odds are subject to change***
