It should be nothing short of a party atmosphere before kickoff at Goodison Park on Sunday (9 am ET) when Everton take the field for the first time under the Friedkin Group’s ownership, though title-chasing Chelsea will have one or two ideas about spoiling the party.
WATCH – Everton vs Chelsea
The takeover had been a long time coming as the club struggled to stay afloat (and in the Premier League) in recent seasons, and its completion couldn’t have come at a better time with the January transfer window less than two weeks away. Toffees fans will be thrilled to turn the page and build upon some much improved results (and performances) in recent weeks. After conceding 13 goals in 4 games (all defeats) to start the season, Sean Dyche’s side has only given up 8 in the 11 games that followed (3W-6D-2L). Everton (16th place - 15 points) sit three points clear of relegation heading into matchweek 17.
Even though Chelsea (2nd - 34 points) are just two points behind leaders Liverpool, Enzo Maresca spent the week downplaying Chelsea’s PL title credentials this season. “No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we are not ready to compete for the title. One of the reasons why is because I think [other] teams know how to compete for titles.” Whether they are “ready” or not, whether Liverpool and Arsenal “know how to compete for titles” or not… the title is there to be won. The Blues are guaranteed to be in the PL’s top-2 at Christmas for the first time since 2016-17, when they last won the title.
How to watch Everton vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9 am ET Sunday (December 22)
Venue: Goodison Park — Liverpool
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBCSports.com
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Dwight McNeil (knee), Armando Broja (loan - parent club), Timothy Iroegbunam (ankle), James Garner (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Youssef Chermiti (ankle)
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Marc Cucurella (suspension), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (undisclosed), Omari Kellyman (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Lavia (undisclosed), Joao Felix (undisclosed)
Everton vs Chelsea prediction
If you tell me Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are both fit, I’m going to have a hard time picking against Chelsea at the moment. 20 goals and 9 assists (many of them to each other) in 17 games is title-winning form. Everton 1-3 Chelsea.
