Premier League

Everton vs Chelsea prediction

HINT: Lay Chelsea ODDS: 1.78 12 DEC @ 20:00

Victory for Chelsea away to Everton on Saturday night would put the Blues top of the Premier League until Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have the chance to overtake them on Sunday.

Frank Lampard largely rotated his side for Tuesday’s draw at home to FC Krasnador in the Champions League, with the group already sewn up with a game to spare.

Chelsea are doing a lot better than I was expecting pre-season, regardless of their big spending, and the best is still to come from the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. 0-0’s against both Tottenham Hotspur (home) and Manchester United (away) are included in their nine-match unbeaten Premier League run, which also includes a draw versus West Bromwich Albion. All six victories so far have come against current bottom half sides.

Carlo Ancelotti will be going up against one of his former sides on Saturday with his Everton losing their way after the first international break. However, there were lots of positives from their 3-2 win at Fulham, even if it was followed up by a defeat to Leeds United and draw with Burnley.

I still don’t rate Frank Lampard as a tactician, even with Jody Morris by his side, and I feel his Italian counterpart will outwit him this weekend. Although the West London side do have a solid defensive record since mid-October, I do think Ancelotti will find a way for the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, James Rodriguez or Richarlison to get among the goals in this one.

Everton have also looked a little better defensively since the last international break. I think they avoid defeat versus Chelsea on Saturday, which comes at good value considering the visitors are odds on.

Best bet: Lay Chelsea at 1.78 with Betfair