Everton v Chelsea
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2012 - Kick Off 3pm

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Everton

Over the last few seasons, David Moyes has managed to get the best out of his squad, one that has had talented players but has always been short of numbers. He has continued to get Everton playing above their level and has made Goodison Park one of the toughest away venues in the Premier League for the 'big' clubs to visit.

The Toffees are 11th in the Premier League table this season and have considered a top half finish as exceeding expectations this year. However, they are in line to do so if they can have a strong finish from their final 14 games to play this season. Everton are 4-3-5 at Goodison Park this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding 13.

With a 5th Round FA Cup game here against Blackpool next week, Everton will hope to put in a shift as they did against Manchester City in their last home game, a 1-0 win. The team are unbeaten in their last 5 games in all competitions and they have only lost 1 of their last 7 here. Everton have already lost to Liverpool and Manchester United here, but the win over City will have inspired them to get a result here.

David Moyes does have a few injuries within the squad, with Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell doubtful, while Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman and Leon Osman all hoping to recover from injury. Nikica Jelavic and Victor Anichebe will be hoping for starting spots this week.

Chelsea

Chelsea will have their Champions League campaign starting in the next two weeks, but this may be their last campaign for at least a couple of seasons if they do not get their act together in the Premier League. They showed all the vulnerabilities in their 3-3 draw with Manchester United last week as they blew a 3-0 lead with less than half the game to play, meaning 4th place is still up for grabs in the League.

Currently, the Blues hold that 4th position in the League, 7 points behind Tottenham Hotspur in 3rd place, but only 1 point clear of Newcastle United in 5th. Arsenal and Liverpool are also queuing up behind Chelsea as the battle hots up for the Champions League place for next season. The Blues are 5-5-2 away from home this season, scoring 17 goals and conceding 10, giving them the joint best away defence in the League so far.

The team are unbeaten in all 7 games they have played in all competitions in 2012, although they can feel a little fortunate to be in that position. Chelsea have drawn 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions, and their last 3 consecutively in the League. They have drawn 4 of their last 5 away games in the League, the only win coming with a last minute goal at Wolves.

John Terry and Ramires are both injured and will be out until next week at the earliest, while Didier Drogba is still with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations. Frank Lampard should return to the side, but Mikel remains a doubt.

Head to Head

Chelsea beat Everton 3-1 at home earlier this season, while the Blues also beat Everton in the Carling Cup, albeit through a goal scored in extra time.

These teams also met 4 times last season, with 3 of those games ending in draws and the other a 1-0 win for Everton here.

Everton are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against Chelsea in all competitions, recording 2 wins and 3 draws.

Prediction

This is going to be a really tough game for Chelsea as Everton have been in decent form in recent weeks, although I am not entirely sure which way it will go.

The Blues have been struggling for form in recent weeks and were perhaps a touch fortunate to get a point from each of their last two League games, while they have also had a hard time scoring goals on their travels.

Everton themselves have been tougher to play here, but they too do not score enough goals and I think this does all point to this game ending with the Unders coming in.

6 of the last 7 games at Goodison Park between the two teams have also seen 2 or less goals scored and I think this is going to be another one of those games, one that could easily see one goal decide the winner.

With that in mind, I'll take the Under option here.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Everton 0-1 Chelsea

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll take the Under 2.25 Goals @ 1.90 (Pinnacle)