Everton take on Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday evening, with Chelsea looking for their third win of the season after victories against newly promoted sides Burnley and Leicester. Everton meanwhile are looking for their first win, after two 2-2 draws against Leicester and Arsenal.
The early title favourites Chelsea, will travel up to Merseyside possibly without star sriker Diego Costa. The new signing from Atletico Madrid has suffered a hamstring injury and is likely not to be risked. This means the future of wantaway striker Fernando Torres could be in doubt. After talks with AC Milan, with a loan deal looking likely, Torres may not be allowed to leave due to the Blues having little cover for their £32 million star. Although club legend Didier Drogba could be another viable option up front for the London side.
Everton now have in their ranks two former Chelsea strikers. Romelu Lukaku made his loan move permanent in a £28 million deal earlier in the summer, with veteran striker Samuel Eto'o joining on a costless deal earlier this week. The Toffees also have promising winger Christian Atsu on lean from the Blues, though he won't be able to feature due to him being ineligible.
Everton don't have a problem in scoring, but defending seems to be an issue for the Toffees, after surrendering leads in both their opening two fixtures. A problem manager Roberto Martinez will be looking to address.
If Lukaku does miss out, Everton will certainly miss his presence. Against Arsenal last weekend the Toffees didn't look as threatening without the Belgian powerhouse up front. But Everton can threaten from all around their striking options. With Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith being able to score goals.
The encouraging thing for Everton is that they have won four of their last five Barclays Premier League home games against Chelsea. So they may use this to their advantage.
The players to look out for will be Lukaku for Everton and Chelsea's Eden Hazard. Hazard will give Seamus Coleman all sorts of problems down the wing.Should Lukaku play, he'll terrorise Chelsea's defence, and is most certainly a goal threat.
Team News
Everton - New signing Samuel Eto'o is going to be monitored due to him lacking match fitness, and Lukaku is nursing a toe injury, so may not be risked against his former side. Steven Pienaar, Bryan Oviedo, Arouna Kone and young star Ross Barkley are all missing but Irish midfielder Darron Gibson is edging closer to a return to action after a 10 month absence.
Chelsea - Diego Costa will miss the trip to Merseyside with a hamstring injury, which is likely to rule him out for up to six weeks. This means Jose Mourinho only has Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba available to him as striking options. Also World Cup winning midfielder Andre Schurrle is missing after picking up a leg injury in last weekends victory against Leicester. Otherwise Chelsea have a fit squad to use.