Today’s early Premier League kickoff sees Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge for a crucial clash at 12:30 PM. With both teams battling for different ambitions – Chelsea pushing for a top-four finish and Everton fighting for survival – this match promises intensity, drama, and quality football.

Let’s break it all down, and predict who will emerge victorious.

Current Form

Chelsea

Chelsea have rediscovered some of their old swagger under new management this season. After a rocky start, the Blues have found stability, playing an energetic, possession-based style. Over the past ten games, Chelsea boast an impressive record: 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, scoring 21 goals and conceding only 8.

Their home form has been particularly solid. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have won four of their last five matches, including victories over Manchester United and West Ham. The likes of Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and Reece James have been instrumental.

Key stats:

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 7 home matches.
They have averaged 2.3 goals per game at home in 2025.
Defensively, they’ve kept four clean sheets in their last six.

Everton

Everton’s season, on the other hand, has been marred by inconsistency and off-field issues, including financial penalties that plunged them into a relegation battle. However, under Sean Dyche, they have shown typical grit and determination.

Form-wise, Everton are hanging on:

3 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses in their last 10 games.
Struggling for goals, with just 9 goals scored over that stretch.
However, their defensive record is respectable — conceding 13 goals — suggesting that Dyche’s organization is still effective.

Importantly, Everton have found it tough away from Goodison Park:

Only 2 away wins all season.
They have failed to score in five of their last eight away matches.

Injury News

Chelsea

Reece James returned recently and has been managing his minutes carefully.
Christopher Nkunku remains sidelined but could make the bench.
Wesley Fofana is still out long-term.
Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill are close to full fitness.

Overall, Chelsea’s squad depth is decent heading into this match.

Everton

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been struggling with fitness but is expected to feature at least off the bench.
Seamus Coleman remains doubtful.
Dele Alli is still out indefinitely.
New January signing Youssef Chermiti could play a role as a substitute.

Dyche will likely rely on his experienced core: Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Doucouré, and Onana.

Tactical Breakdown

Chelsea Approach

Chelsea under their current manager (whether it’s Pochettino or another) have embraced:

High pressing,
Quick ball recovery,
Heavy overloads on the flanks.

Against a deep-lying team like Everton, Chelsea will aim to:

Stretch the play with overlapping fullbacks (James and Chilwell).
Utilize Cole Palmer in between the lines.
Take advantage of set pieces where they have become more dangerous recently.

Expect Chelsea to dominate possession — somewhere around 65%-70% — and look to break down a compact Everton defense with patience.

Everton Approach

Everton’s blueprint under Dyche is no secret:

Compact 4-5-1 shape.
Mid-to-low block defending.
Long balls toward a striker to relieve pressure.

They will look to frustrate Chelsea, slow the tempo, and capitalize on set pieces and counterattacks.

In particular, Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucouré will be key on transitions, aiming to exploit any Chelsea overcommitments.

Key Battles

Cole Palmer vs Jarrad Branthwaite
- Palmer’s creativity and dribbling can pull defenders out of shape. Branthwaite must remain disciplined.
Enzo Fernández vs Amadou Onana
- A midfield war awaits. Enzo will look to dictate tempo; Onana will aim to disrupt and physically dominate.
Reece James vs Dwight McNeil
- James’ attacking threat must be balanced against McNeil’s pace and directness.
Chelsea’s Set Pieces vs Everton’s Defense
- While Chelsea’s set-piece threat is improving, Everton defend corners very well (top 3 in PL for headed clearances).

What the Stats Say

Chelsea have scored first in 8 of their last 10 home games.
Everton have conceded first in 6 of their last 8 away matches.
Chelsea average 6.2 shots on target per game at home, compared to Everton’s 2.7 away.
Everton have not beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their last 27 attempts in all competitions. (The last time? November 1994!)

Historical trends are firmly against Everton here.

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):

GK: Petrovic
RB: Reece James
CB: Axel Disasi
CB: Benoît Badiashile
LB: Ben Chilwell
CM: Moisés Caicedo
CM: Enzo Fernández
RW: Noni Madueke
CAM: Cole Palmer
LW: Raheem Sterling
ST: Nicolas Jackson

Everton (4-5-1):

GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Nathan Patterson
CB: James Tarkowski
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko
RM: Dwight McNeil
CM: Idrissa Gueye
CM: Amadou Onana
CM: Abdoulaye Doucouré
LM: Ashley Young
ST: Beto

X-Factor Players

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer has arguably been Chelsea’s best player since January, and his ability to unlock defenses with slick passing and dribbling could be the difference today.

Jordan Pickford (Everton)
If Everton are to have any chance, they’ll need a masterclass from their England No.1 goalkeeper.

Score Prediction

Given all the indicators — recent form, home advantage, historical dominance, squad quality — it’s hard to see beyond a Chelsea victory.

Everton might frustrate them for periods, but Chelsea’s technical superiority, energy, and offensive weapons should eventually overwhelm Dyche’s men.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Everton

Goalscorers:

Cole Palmer (penalty)
Nicolas Jackson (second-half strike)

Final Thoughts

While Everton will come to Stamford Bridge with a stubborn and organized game plan, this Chelsea side is showing signs of maturity and resilience that were missing in past seasons. Add in the returning stars and an increasingly cohesive midfield, and Chelsea should have too much for a struggling Everton side.

A win here could strengthen Chelsea’s push for Champions League football next season, while Everton will need to look to home games to secure their Premier League status.

All eyes will be on Stamford Bridge at 12:30 PM — and if the Blues play their cards right, it could be another strong, statement victory.