Everton vs Chelsea 2026: Preview, Team News, and Prediction for Crucial Premier League Clash

Everton and Chelsea meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening in a fixture that could serve as a major crossroads for both clubs’ European aspirations . With the Premier League season entering its final stretch, the stakes could hardly be higher for two teams chasing very different but equally important goals.

Here is everything you need to know about the Everton vs Chelsea matchup, including team news, key statistics, and expert predictions.

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Match Details at a Glance

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The Big Picture: Two Teams at a Crossroads

Chelsea: A Nightmare Week That Demands a Response

Chelsea arrive on Merseyside desperate to reset after what has been described as a “nightmare week” . The Blues have suffered three consecutive defeats in all competitions, a run that has exposed the fragility of Liam Rosenior’s project at Stamford Bridge .

Sandwiched between a home loss to Newcastle in the Premier League were two humiliating defeats against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16, resulting in a bitter exit with an 8-2 aggregate scoreline . The 3-0 home defeat to PSG in the second leg was particularly damaging, leaving the West London club’s European hopes hanging by a thread.

Pressure is mounting on young manager Liam Rosenior after what he described as a “difficult night” on the sidelines . With tough matches ahead against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool, Chelsea cannot afford to drop too many points as they enter the final stages of the season .

Statistics paint a worrying picture: Chelsea have only won 4 of their last 11 matches in all competitions (with 5 draws and 2 losses) . The Blues have dropped to 6th place in the Premier League and are working hard to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, sitting three points adrift of the top four .

Defensive weaknesses continue to plague the West London team. Since keeping their first clean sheet under Rosenior (a 2-0 win against Brentford), Chelsea have conceded in eight consecutive Premier League matches .

Everton: Building Momentum Under Moyes

Everton, in contrast, have been quietly impressive under the guidance of experienced manager David Moyes. The Toffees have climbed to 8th place in the standings, just two points behind Brentford above them, and are dreaming of a European cup spot next season .

After two consecutive wins against Newcastle and Burnley, Everton failed to continue their impressive run, losing 2-0 to Arsenal last time out . However, that defeat came with a silver lining: Moyes’ side held the league leaders until the final minutes, only conceding in the 89th minute and stoppage time .

The Toffees have found life slightly more challenging at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium than on the road, having won just one of their last seven home league fixtures . Notably, a win on Saturday would see Everton record consecutive Premier League home victories at their new ground for the first time, following their 2-0 win over Burnley earlier this month .

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Head-to-Head History: Everton’s Home Fortress

The historical record between these two sides makes for fascinating reading, particularly when the fixture is played on Merseyside.

Overall, across all competitive meetings, the head-to-head record is remarkably balanced:

• Chelsea wins: 45 (39.15%)

• Everton wins: 40 (34.8%)

• Draws: 30 (26.1%)

However, the home-and-away split tells a different story. Everton have lost only 1 of their last 8 home matches against Chelsea in the Premier League, winning 5 and drawing 2 . Chelsea’s last victory at Goodison Park came in August 2022 (1-0) . Now, the fixture moves to Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, adding another layer of uncertainty .

In the most recent meeting between the sides on December 13, 2025, Chelsea emerged victorious with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge . The Blues have won three of the last four meetings overall, with one draw .

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Team News and Injury Updates

Everton Team News

David Moyes faces significant selection headaches ahead of the clash. The Toffees will definitely be without Jack Grealish and Carlos Alcaraz, both sidelined through injury . Tyrique George is also unable to feature against his parent club Chelsea .

The biggest uncertainty surrounds the central defensive partnership. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite were both unexpectedly missing for the trip to the Emirates last weekend, and Moyes remained tight-lipped on their availability ahead of this fixture . However, late team news confirmed that Tarkowski starts after missing out last weekend due to injury .

His inclusion prompted a reshuffle: Jake O’Brien moves to right-back, James Garner shifts to midfield, and Tim Iroegbunam drops to the bench . Branthwaite is among the substitutes .

Key Everton Absences:

• Jack Grealish (injured)

• Carlos Alcaraz (injured)

• Tyrique George (ineligible against parent club)

Confirmed Everton Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gana, Garner; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea’s injury list remains concerning, though there are some positive developments. Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, though Rosenior insists it is “not serious” . Levi Colwill continues his recovery from an ACL injury, while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is unavailable following minor surgery .

The biggest blow comes in defense, with Trevoh Chalobah facing around six weeks out after suffering an ankle injury against PSG . Malo Gusto recovers from illness and comes into the starting lineup, while Romeo Lavia ousts Andrey Santos in midfield .

There is, however, a lift in the expected return of Estevao, absent since last month with a hamstring problem. He was unused in the recent defeat to PSG but now stands ready to contribute .

Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Enzo Fernandez are all fit after midweek management of minutes and start as expected .

Key Chelsea Absences:

• Reece James (hamstring)

• Levi Colwill (ACL)

• Trevoh Chalobah (ankle, 6 weeks)

• Filip Jorgensen (minor surgery)

• Jamie Gittens (injury)

Confirmed Chelsea Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Enzo, Neto; Pedro

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Key Players to Watch

Everton: James Garner

The Everton midfielder has been the Toffees’ standout performer in the engine room, recording a league-high 138 combined tackles and interceptions while leading the team in chances created (43) . His versatility—capable of playing in defense or midfield—makes him invaluable to Moyes’ system.

Everton: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

The former Leicester City man faces his former club Chelsea and will be eager to make an impact. Operating in an advanced midfield role, his creativity and eye for goal could be decisive .

Chelsea: Cole Palmer

Palmer has found his scoring touch away from Stamford Bridge, netting four goals in his last two away league matches . His movement between the lines and clinical finishing make him Chelsea’s most dangerous attacking weapon.

Chelsea: Joao Pedro

The Brazilian forward has been remarkably clinical on his travels, with his 11 away goals this season marking the highest tally by a Chelsea player since 2019-20 . Expect him to lead the line with confidence.

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Form Guide

Everton Form (Last 5 Premier League Matches)

• Arsenal (A): L 0-2

• Burnley (H): W 2-0

• Newcastle (H): W 2-0

• Brentford (A): D 0-0

• Southampton (A): L 0-1

The Toffees have shown resilience but inconsistency, with their home form particularly needing improvement .

Chelsea Form (Last 5 Premier League Matches)

• Newcastle (H): L 0-1

• Leicester (A): D 1-1

• Aston Villa (A): W 4-1

• Southampton (H): D 1-1

• Bournemouth (A): L 0-1

Chelsea’s away record remains a strength—they boast the second-best away record in the Premier League this season, with only league leaders Arsenal collecting more road points .

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Expert Predictions

The pundit community appears divided on the outcome of this crucial clash.

Chris Sutton (BBC Sport)

The former Premier League striker, who was present at Chelsea’s defeat to Newcastle, has been critical of Rosenior’s approach but expects a tight contest.

“I want to be brave here, and pick a winner because I am expecting both teams to go for it… but instead I am going to go for a draw.”
Prediction: 1-1

Harry Redknapp & Mark Lawrenson

Both veteran pundits are backing the home side to capitalize on Chelsea’s instability.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Chelsea

Paul Merson

The former Arsenal midfielder aligns with Sutton’s view, expecting a share of the spoils.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

Knows Jones (Sky Sports Commentator)

The lone voice predicting a Chelsea victory.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-2 Everton

Opta Supercomputer

The data-driven prediction model gives Chelsea a slight edge:

• Chelsea win probability: 37.1%

• Everton win probability: 36.6%

• Draw probability: 26.3%

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Betting Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

The odds suggest a tight contest, with Chelsea favored but far from certain. Notably, Chelsea have been elite on their travels, winning four of their last five away league matches, including a 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa .

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How to Watch Everton vs Chelsea

• UK: Sky Sports Main Event (coverage begins at 17:00 GMT)

• US: Available on NBC platforms (check local listings)

• Streaming: Sky Go (UK), Peacock (US), or当地broadcasters

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Prediction

This fixture has all the hallmarks of a tense, closely fought encounter. Chelsea arrive in crisis mode, desperate to arrest a three-game losing streak and salvage their Champions League qualification hopes. Everton, meanwhile, are riding the momentum of a strong season under Moyes and have historically made life difficult for Chelsea on Merseyside.

The return of Tarkowski stabilizes Everton’s defense, while Chelsea’s attacking quality—particularly through Palmer and Pedro—remains potent. However, the Blues’ defensive vulnerabilities and the weight of their recent failures suggest they may struggle to keep a clean sheet.

With both teams needing points for different reasons and Everton’s home fortress reputation, a draw appears the most likely outcome.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Chelsea

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What’s at Stake

For Chelsea, a win keeps their top-four hopes alive and relieves mounting pressure on Rosenior. A loss or draw could see them slip further behind in the race for Champions League qualification, with a daunting run of fixtures still to come.

For Everton, three points would strengthen their European ambitions and potentially lift them above Brentford into 7th place. A draw would maintain their momentum while keeping their continental dreams firmly on track.

Kick-off is set for 17:30 GMT at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. All eyes will be on Merseyside for what promises to be a defining moment in both clubs’ seasons.