Maresca to make key decision that can alter the midfield and injury-ravaged defence | Chelsea predicted XI v Everton | OneFootball

Chelsea can leapfrog Liverpool and sit atop the Premier League table, albeit briefly, when they lock horns with Everton at Goodison Park this Sunday. Liverpool play later in the day, and Chelsea can exert pressure with a victory.

The Reds have drawn their last two Premier League games against Newcastle United and Fulham. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will hope for another slip-up this weekend when they travel to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

The Blues’ resurgence under new manager Maresca has been remarkable. They have secured five consecutive Premier League wins, including a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford last weekend.

Talisman Cole Palmer had a subdued outing, with the fierce and diligent Christian Norgaard never far away, but other players stepped up to the plate to earn their side the victory.

They are coming off comfortable a European win over Shamrock Rovers and have won all their Conference League group stage games, taking their winning streak to eight.

Head to Head

However, Goodison Park has been a fortress Chelsea struggle to breach, with just two wins in their last six visits. They’ve only managed four league victories at Everton since 2008.

Chelsea received a 2-0 beating the last time they ventured to Merseyside to take on the Toffees, although the west Londoners will take solace in the 6-0 mullering they inflicted on Everton in the reverse fixture.

Chelsea fans may cry about not being in a title race, but if they win this tie against a boogey opponent, it will formally stamp them in the conversation.

Everton will be buzzing after the Friedkin Group’s takeover, ending Farhad Moshiri’s tumultuous ownership. Sean Dyche’s men also showed their famed stubbornness, holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw. They will test Chelsea’s mettle.

Team News

Marc Cucurella is suspended after picking up a needless second yellow at the end of the Brentford tie. He will miss the trip to Everton, with Renato Veiga possibly taking the starting berth.

Maresca might play influential midfielder Moises Caicedo at right-back with Malo Gusto in the left-back slot.

Maresca announced that Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are long-term absentees, but Reece James is back in partial training. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains sidelined amid a doping charge.

“Joao (Felix) is back, you saw Joao (against Shamrock Rovers), but Romeo (Lavia) will probably struggle to play on Sunday,” said the Blues head coach. “But we will see tomorrow (Friday).”

Chelsea predicted XI vs Everton

(4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Moises Caicedo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto; Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho; Nicolas Jackson.