30.8.14

Match of the Week - Everton Vs Chelsea



Not many stand out match ups this weekend in the premier league, a few taking on more importance i.e. Spurs v Liverpool on Super Sunday is an important game after Tottenham's start with maximum points this campaign and Liverpool with their own big money signing in Mario Balotelli and looking to bounce back after the defeat at Man City.  The pick of the weekend for me though is at Goodison Park with Everton taking on Jose's Chelsea, after the toffees showing against Arsenal last week there is no doubt Chelsea will be in for tough game and this match could be very important in the blues title challenge and Everton top four push.

KEY PLAYERS

Romelu Lukaku is the obvious danger man for Everton, he has proved in the last two seasons he can score in the premier league and his general play and teamwork are just as important as evidenced with his assist last weekend.  Not to forget he will be determined to prove to Chelsea that he was worth a starting place and they made a mistake in letting him go.  Another key player for Everton is Sylvain Distin, the centre back has certainly not got the pace of his younger counterparts but his positioning and defensive awareness are still second to none and will certainly be tested against the attacking force of Chelsea.

Eden Hazard for Chelsea is a definite threat, a world class footballer who has started the season like he wants to prove he is just that, albeit against what some may call lesser opposition in the blues first two league games this will be a stage to show what he can do against a well organised and dangerous side.  Courtois in goal for Chelsea I will pick as they other key man for them, they have a strong defence as usual but Everton have shown they can break through even the best defence on their day and Courtois will be called upon as their last line of defence, in his first real test against a top premier league team in a Chelsea shirt, a good performance could see him cement the No.1 shirt for the foreseeable future.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

Everton

Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Barry, McCarthy, Naismith, Mirallas, Lukaku.

Chelsea

Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Costa.

SUMMARY

This really could go either way, I say that purely on the fact that it's at Goodison Park, were this game at the Bridge then I would say Chelsea all day however good Everton are.  The good news for the toffees is its not and if Everton can start well and dictate the tempo early on then the Goodison faithful will be in full voice and can definitely inspire their team to a good performance.  Saying that Chelsea are still Chelsea and I would expect them to create and score with all the talent at their disposal, cannot pick a winner in this one, tough one to call so will sit on the fence and say a score draw.

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