Preview: Everton vs. Chelsea - predictions, team news, lineups

One of the most interesting matches of the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign will take place at Goodison Park on Saturday. Everton Welcome Chelsea with a slow start.

The Toffees finished 16th last season, just narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship, while Chelsea finished third in the Champions League berth, five points behind fifth-placed Arsenal.

match preview

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Everton are looking to improve on a very difficult 2021-22 campaign next season as they face the possibility of dropping to second place, leaving the team 16th in the Premier League table just four points above the relegation zone. It’s over. English football tier.

The Toffees are one of only six clubs in England to never be relegated from the Premier League, but were named as potential European challengers last season. Frank Lampard It will help ensure survival after taking office in January.

The 2021/22 season ended in a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, but Lampard managed to lead the club safely with 39 goals in 38 games, winning 11, drawing 6 and losing 21.

Everton can only sign three players in the current market, James Turkowski When Dwight McNeil From Burnley, the former is available with free transfer, Ruben Vinagre He moved to Goodison Park on loan from Sporting Lisbon.

Lampard is keen to beat his former club this weekend. A good performance against the Blues will put Aston in the lead against Villa, Nottingham, Forest, Brentford and Leeds by the end of the month.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, will play in the Champions League this season as well, having managed to finish third in the Premier League last season, despite off-field issues regarding ownership.

The Blues were able to bolster their team with four players this summer. Raheem Sterling, Kalidu Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka When Gabriel Sloninabut they still lack the center forward following Romelu LukakuReturned to Inter Milan on time.

On the other hand, the two main defenders are Antonio Rudiger When Andreas Christensen He left the club on a free transfer this summer to serve as head coach. Thomas Tuchel I am not satisfied with the club’s preseason.

The London giants come into play after a 3-1 win over Udinese last Friday, but were beaten by both Charlotte FC and Arsenal during their pre-season tour of the United States, with the Gunners winning 4-0. Did. This led to much criticism from Tuchel.

With Chelsea facing Tottenham Hotspur next weekend in their second game of the season, there is pressure on the squad to start the campaign with a positive result, but the outfit in the capital is fully prepared for a return to competitive action. I don’t know yet. .

Everton’s pre-season form:

Chelsea’s pre-season form:

team news

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Everton manager Lampard said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday: Dominic Calvert-Lewin He injured his knee in training and faces six weeks out.

Jerry Mina should be fit and available and start in the middle of the defense, salomon london Suspended and able to see demarai gray McNeil and Anthony Gordon.

Seamus Coleman, Tom Davis, Andre Gomes When Andros Townsend Not all available yet Alan Despite recent fitness issues, Lampard doesn’t have too many options in the area due to injury issues at the club, so a return to central midfield is likely.

Tarkowski is set to make his debut at the back three. Michael Keene If Mina is deemed fit enough to go onto the field for the first whistle, a player may be dropped.

As for Chelsea, Koulibaly is likely to make his debut at the back, while Sterling could play alongside his England team-mate in the front three. Mason Mount When Kai Havertz.

Timo Werner The Germany international is not expected to be considered as a starter, as the Blues’ fitness has been questioned due to a hamstring issue and speculation is rife around his future.

Tuchel also needs to make a call. Cesar Azpilicueta Amid speculation surrounding his future, the Spaniard is now believed to be set to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Reese James When Ben Chilwell Set to be featured as a wingback, Mateo Kovacic When N’Goro Kante We will start in the middle of the park.

Candidates for Everton’s starting XI:
Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Tarkowski. Patterson, Doucour, Alain, Mikolenko.Gordon, Gray, McNeill

Candidates for Chelsea’s starting XI:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, T Silva, Coulibaly. James, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell.mount, havertz, sterling

We say: Everton 1-2 Chelsea

Chelsea are still far from where they want to lead into the new season, but the same can be said for Everton, who are short of a final third due to an injury to Calvert-Lewin. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did, but Chelsea should be strong enough to win.

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