Chelsea vs Everton
Aside from an FA Cup victory on penalties in 2011, you have to go back to 1994 for the last time Everton won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Indeed, if they were to end that record on Sunday, it would provide to be one of the Premier League 2018 highlights for neutrals and SBOBET fans with a soft spot for the Toffees.
It certainly should be a good test for Marco Silva’s side against a team which, under Maurizio Sarri, is proving me wrong and is looking like they could be genuine title contenders.
Talking Points
The West Londoners have been in fine form in recent weeks, second place on goal difference and still unbeaten. Sarri has been a breath of fresh air after relations seemed strained between predecessor Antonio Conte and some players towards the end of his tenure.
Sarri’s management style certainly seems a little softer, and that seems to have had a positive effect on his players, with Eden Hazard in the form of his life and even Alvaro Morata starting to rebuild his confidence.
At previous club Napoli, Sarri cemented a cult following of football fans who appreciated the aesthetically pleasing style of the sides he managed. He also seemed to get the best out of a number of players who were on the fringes.
Those are skills he seems to have brought with him to Stamford Bridge, too.
The Blues won at BATE Borisov in the Europa League in midweek – Sarri had actually guided his side to a new record in Europe this season before they even played – but rested a number of players, so they should be fairly fresh for this encounter.
Meanwhile, it’s been a frustrating time of late for Everton.
This week, the club was fined after being found guilty of breaching recruitment rules for young players.
On a senior level, they also seem to have lacked belief against the leading clubs: only once since 2011 have they won away against a team that finished in the top six the previous season.
The top-six travel-sickness continued as their latest attempt ended in defeat just under a fortnight ago.
Yet, if the Chelsea hoodoo is to end and they are to end their worst league sequence away from home since going more than 50 years without a triumph at Leeds United, Everton will need to show the quality they have shown in bursts for the whole 90 minutes.
Their squad already looks stronger, better balanced and with more strength in depth than last season.
It will be a reunion for the talented Kurt Zouma who was prevented from fulfilling his potential at Stamford Bridge due to injury, while the in-form Ross Barkley comes up against his boyhood club – where he spent 14 years of his life – for the first time.
Richarlison is also in fine form, and they will have a chance to end their bogey if he can stretch the home defence.
This should be a compelling clash in the capital.
History
Paul Rideout was the matchwinner back in October 1994, the last time the Toffees won a league game on Chelsea turf.
Much has changed since then, but while Chelsea have not lost any of their subsequent meetings in the capital, they have also been frustrated by the Merseysiders.
Chelsea have won 13 with 10 draws in the last 23 meetings.
Overall, Chelsea have a total of 72 victories compared to 54 Everton wins and 53 draws.
Last season, first-half goals from Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata sealed a 2-0 success against a side then managed by Ronald Koeman.
They then gained another home victory over the same opponents two months later in the League Cup when David Unsworth was in temporary charge.
Their pre-Christmas meeting at Goodison Park ended goalless, by which time Sam Allardyce had been appointed.
The previous season, Chelsea triumphed 5-0 at home as Conte’s side started to look like possible champions (they did win the title), inspired by an Eden Hazard double.
Betting Tip
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Chelsea vs Everton | Chelsea -0.75 First Half Asian Handicap @ 2.28 |
| November 11, 22:15 (GMT+8) |
I feel this may be closer than many think.
The Premier League 2018 betting odds suggest otherwise with Chelsea 1X2 @ 1.43, the draw @ 4.10 and Everton @ 7.60.
There are two appealing Asian Handicap bets for me, both in terms of Chelsea -1.50 @ 2.21 and Everton +1.00 @ 2.36.
Double Chance Everton or Draw @ 2.66, while total goal 2-3 @ 2.10 and total goal 4-6 @ 2.62 also have a tempting side.
A repeat of last season’s league scoreline – correct score 2-0 – offers odds @ 7.60.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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