Everton vs Chelsea: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Chelsea will be without several players due to injury as they travel to Everton today for a must-win Premier League clash.

The Blues lost ground in the race for Champions League football last weekend after falling to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.

And pressure intensified on Liam Rosenior in midweek after his side suffered a humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea now head to Merseyside this evening as they look to get back to winning ways, but are without a handful of key players as injuries pile up at the end of the season.

Trevor Chalobah is the latest player to be ruled out, with the centre-back set for a six-week spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off in midweek following a nasty-looking ankle injury.

Reece James is also still unavailable due to a hamstring problem, but Rosenior insisted on Friday that the Chelsea captain’s problem was not ‘serious’.

Elsewhere, Filip Jorgensen remains out after a small operation, while Levi Colwill has returned to first-team training but is still some way of a return to action after his ACL injury.

The Blues, though, could be boosted by the return of Estevao, who was an unusued sub against PSG in midweek after a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury.

And Malo Gusto is fit again and back in training after missing the PSG defeat due to illness.

Everton, meanwhile, are hopeful of welcoming back defensive duo Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski but will be without Charley Alcaraz, Jack Grealish and Chelsea loanee Tyrique George on Sunday.

Chelsea XI to face Everton – Metro prediction

Jorrel Hato started in midweek at left centre-back, and the Dutchman will likely be joined there by Wesley Fofana following Chalobah’s injury.

Mamadou Sarr endured a night to forget at right-back, dragged off at half-time against PSG, and will surely be replaced by the returning Gusto at right-back.

Elsewhere, Rosenior will likely opt against wholesale changes in forward areas.

Enzo Fernandez’s recent comments on his future at Chelsea raised eyebrows over recent days, but the Argentine will surely still start in the No10 role, with Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo behind him.

The preferred front three of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro are expected to continue, with Jamie Gittens and Estevao still working their way back to full fitness.

Everton vs Chelsea TV channel, live stream and kick-off time

Everton vs Chelsea kicks off at 5.30pm today (Saturday, 21 March).

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE match day blog.

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