Earlier this season, the Premier League witnessed what seems to be the best game of the season so far. Chelsea stormed into Goodison Park and swept Everton aside, 6-3. Since then, both sides have had very different campaigns as Mourinho's team sit top of the league with a 7 point lead, while Everton are struggling for form and are currently a disappointing 12th.

Team News:

Chelsea:

Diego Costa, scorer of a brace in the 6-3 win, is still suspended but will return next weekend. Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis have both resumed full training, the former is expected to be in the squad. Apart from Chelsea's top scorer, Mourinho's squad looks back to full strength.

Projected XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Remy.

Everton:

The Toffees may not be as lucky as Chelsea, with 7 players all either struggling for fitness or out for a long period of time. Leon Osman, Aiden McGeady and Steven Pienaar will both miss out on the midweek clash, while Tim Howard, Leighton Baines and Steven Naismith are all fighting to be ready in time. Romelu Lukaku is in line to face his former club whom he left in the summer for close to £28 million.

Projected XI: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka (c), Stones, Oviedo; McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Lennon; Lukaku.
 

  • Background:


Everton have struggled to string together results this season but have kept two consecutive clean sheets after a 1-0 - Crystal Palace and a 0-0 draw in the Merseyside Derby.

Chelsea are fresh off a 2-1 win against Aston Villa, Mourinho's first ever win at that ground.

In recent times, Chelsea have struggled against Everton both home and away but a 6-3 thumping of Martinez and co., may have changed their fortunes.

As mentioned before, Lukaku is expected to start up front for Everton against his former club.

Prediction:

With 14 games to go, points mean so much in the title race and Chelsea cannot afford to drop any with Man City more than capable of overhauling them. Everton haven't shown much in recent weeks but will be tough to break down as always. Chelsea 2-0 Everton.