The 2024/25 Premier League season resumes this weekend with Gameweek 34 as we approach the final days of the campaign. The latest round of fixtures starts on Saturday, with the action kicking off with Chelsea vs Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea once seemed one of the favourites to clinch UEFA Champions League qualification, having been as high as second in the Premier League standings before a horrendous run of form started in the final days of 2024. The Blues have won only six of their last 17 top-flight games, which has dropped them from second to sixth on the table, although they are only four points behind third-placed Manchester City.
On the other hand, Everton’s resurgent run under David Moyes quickly alleviated the relegation threat, and they briefly dreamed of a top-half finish. However, the Toffees have blown hot and cold of late, winning only one of their last eight Premier League games. However, with the Merseyside outfit having nothing left to play for, they will cruise to the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The reverse fixture started Chelsea’s dreadful run, with Everton holding the West London outfit to a goalless draw at these sides’ final clash at Goodison Park. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Enzo Maresca has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Chelsea manager will be bereft of the services of five first-team players vs Everton on Saturday.
Malo Gusto is the latest absentee after picking up a muscular injury last weekend against Fulham, which might have prematurely ended his 2024/25 campaign. The French full-back has joined Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Omari Kellyman (thigh), and Marc Guiu (hamstring) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended due to his doping ban.
Robert Sanchez will take his spot between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Everton on Saturday. The backline should feature Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the double pivot. Cole Palmer will likely reprise the no. 10 role, with Pedro Neto and the in-form Tyrique George being the two wide attackers. Finally, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line for Chelsea against Everton on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; George, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Like his counterpart in the Chelsea dugout, David Moyes has a new issue to worry about ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Everton manager will be without five first-team players on Saturday.
James Tarkowski is the latest absentee after picking up a hamstring injury last weekend against Manchester City. The veteran defender will see his run of 111 successive Premier League appearances end, and he has joined Orel Mangala (knee), Jesper Lindstrom (hernia), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Armando Broja is ineligible to face his parent club.
Jordan Pickford is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Everton lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Chelsea on Saturday. The backline should feature Nathan Patterson, Jake O’Brien, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitaliy Mykolenko.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Idrissa Gueye and James Garner in the double pivot. Abdoulaye Doucoure will reprise the no. 10 role, with Jack Harrison and Iliman Ndiaye being the two wide attackers. Finally, Beto will spearhead the Everton attack against Chelsea on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Patterson, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto
While Cole Palmer, Beto, and Iliman Ndiaye were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Nicolas Jackson as the Player to Watch for Saturday’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge.
The Senegalese international scored nine and assisted three goals in his first 15 Premier League appearances this season, averaging a goal involvement every 99 minutes. However, since then, he has failed to score in his 12 subsequent top-flight outings, providing only two assists. With Palmer also struggling, Enzo Maresca will hope Jackson rises to the occasion and delivers the goods in the final third.
With Everton struggling to score goals and win games, Chelsea will feel Saturday’s game is ideal for them to embark on a winning run after beating Fulham last weekend. While David Moyes will set his team up to give the Blues a run for their money, the visitors might not have enough quality to trouble their hosts.
On the other hand, Chelsea must show patience before breaching the Everton defence. Ultimately, a closely contested affair should end in a narrow victory for Chelsea. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-0 win for Enzo Maresca and his charges.
