Everton vs Chelsea Preview – Blues looking to forget derby loss

Kick Off – Wednesday 26 October 2011 at 20.00

Andre Villas-Boas will use the cup match to forget about Sunday’s disappointing defeat to neighbours QPR, the Portuguese tactical was left very frustrated after seeing two of his players see red.

Fernando Torres is back available after serving his ban but Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa are all suspended for the match and Raul Meireles is cup-tied.

Like the last round, the Blues are expected to play youngsters such as Josh McEachran, Oriol Romeu, Romelu Lukaku and Ryan Bertrand.

Louis Saha is hoping to start, having come on and scored the winning goal against Fulham on Sunday. David Moyes is expected to recall Tim Cahill and Seamus Coleman, who both missed the aforementioned win.

FORM

In the last four League Cup meetings between the two teams has seen Chelsea progress in each, this included a semi-final win in 2007-08. The Toffees did enjoy an FA Cup win against the Blues last season when they won on penalties in the fourth-round replay at Stamford Bridge.

Everton are generally very strong at home in this competition, and have not conceded more than a single goal in 17 League Cup ties at Goodison Park. The Toffees have reached the final twice but have never won the trophy.

When Chelsea drew 0-0 against Fulham, it was the first time in 22 League Cup fixtures that they had failed to score.  Andre Villas-Boas’ team are struggling for clean sheets, having only had one in nine league games.

BETTING

The home side are a generous 2s to win, but most of the money is being put on Chelsea, the away side are 4/5 to win in 90 minutes and 4/6 to progress.

Torres is 5s to be first on the scoresheet, meanwhile you can get 9s on youngster Lukaku to get the goals started. Saha and Cahill are the two main goal threats for the home side, you can get 7s on either of them to break the deadlock.   

If you expect this to be a tight affair then less than 2.5 goals is 5/6 and over is 19/20.

By Scott Balaam

Twitter @AStamBridge2Far

Scott Balaam

Recent Posts

Noni Madueke praises Cole Palmer, and says he doesn’t have a ceiling

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has sung the praises of his teammate, Cole Palmer, describing him as a player with extraordinary…

16 mins ago

Fan Power: How Chelsea Fans Could Stop Stamford Bridge Move

Ask any matchday Chelsea fan who the CPO are, and they’ll tell you that it stands for the Chelsea Pitch…

2 weeks ago

Chelsea and Arsenal in pursuit of €427,308 per week striker

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a signing move for the Juventus Center forward in winter.

2 weeks ago

Former Arsenal star raves about Chelsea’s midfield maestro

Cole Palmer is taking the headlines for the performances he has been putting in since moving to Chelsea in the…

4 weeks ago

Chelsea alarmed by unfolding situation with 17-year-old signing

Chelsea have received an alarming news on their signing Kendry Paez who is likely to join the club next year.

1 month ago

Chelsea ready to move for Brazilian defender with €70 million. release clause

According to a Brazilian news outlet UOL, Chelsea are trying to sign the young Brazilian JP Chermont from Santos.

1 month ago