Chelsea team news: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Everton

Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea team news: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Everton image

Chelsea have now recorded eight wins in 10 Premier League games and are building momentum in the race for a top-four spot.

Manchester City's incredible run of 16 Premier League wins means that Antonio Conte's side can likely only hope for a second place finish, at best, while Champions League qualification is the main priority.

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce's arrival to Goodison Park has kickstarted Everton's season after they sacked Ronald Koeman over fears that the club would be drawn into a relegation battle.

Everton have now won five games in their last six and Saturday's match will be a tough one for the champions.


CHELSEA INJURIES


David Luiz is likely to still be missing; the Brazilian is still nursing a knee complaint and is without a Premier League appearance since October 28. 

Danny Drinkwater and Michy Batshuayi have returned since their recent injuries to bolster the Blues’ ranks. Conte has the option to shuffle his pack again should he wish to do so, having just played Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea are thought to have a full squad to chose from for the weekend's match, otherwise. 

Michy Batshuayi Chelsea 2017


CHELSEA SUSPENSIONS


Morata is suspended for Chelsea's next match as he was booked for excessive celebration after his winning goal in the 91st minute against Bournemouth. However, Alonso will return after being suspended for the mid-week cup game. 

Antonio Rudiger has four bookings to his name and he will miss the Boxing Day match against Brighton if booked against Everton. Premier League rules state that players will be no longer banned for accumulating five yellow cards after the 19th game, which happens to be Everton for Chelsea. It will then take players 10 cards to get a suspension. 


POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Conte has made it clear that he will continue to rotate his squad as the games come thick and fast, therefore his line ups have been unpredictable of late. 

Eden Hazard has played as a false nine with Pedro and Willian in the last two league matches which has seen the club perform well, while collecting the maximum number of points. 

Morata is now suspended so Batshuayi will be fighting to take his place in training this week. Conte rested a number of players in the recent Carabao Cup quarter final win as he knows he needs a strong eleven to get past Everton. 

Chelsea XI PS Everton


EVERTON TEAM NEWS


Chelsea target Ross Barkley is out for the clash at Goodison Park but has stepped up his recovery after a thigh injury. His summer transfer to Stamford Bridge fell through due to the same injury.

Yannick Bolasie and James McCarthy both featured in Everton's recent U23s match. Bolasie has been out for around a year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while McCarthy got injured against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup seven weeks ago. 

Seamus Coleman has been on the long-term injured list after suffering a broken leg against Wales last season, while Ramiro Funes Mori has had a long term knee problem. 

Leighton Baines is also out with a calf injury which has led to Allardyce calling for reinforcements at left back due to a lack of options in that position. 

Leighton Baines


TV CHANNEL & KICK OFF TIME


The match takes place at 12:30 GMT on Saturday and it will be shown live in the UK on SkySports. Highlights can be caught on BBC's Match of the Day at around 22:30.

In the United States (US), Everton v Chelsea can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Everton have lost their last three Premier League games against Chelsea by an aggregate score of 0-10, losing 2-0 in the reverse fixture in August this season.

  • Sam Allardyce has won his last two Premier League encounters with Chelsea – as many as he won in his first 24 against the Blues. Allardyce will become the first Premier League manager to win against Chelsea with five different clubs if he wins this game; he is currently tied on four with Roy Hodgson.

  • Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals in 16 Premier League appearances so far this season – this is the fewest tally of games that it’s taken him to reach 10 goals in a league season since 2011-12 (14 games).

  • Cesc Fabregas has had a hand in seven goals in his last five Premier League appearances at Goodison Park (three goals, four assists).

  • Alvaro Morata has had a hand in seven goals in his seven away Premier League appearances this season (5 goals, 2 assists).

Nizaar Kinsella

Nizaar Kinsella Photo

Nizaar Kinsella is a Chelsea correspondent with experience covering international football at the World Cup and European Championships. He is a trusted voice within the Chelsea community, attending almost every game and having spent many years doing so. Coverage on Goal.com has seen him invited onto CNN, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and BeINSports to comment on the turbulent world of the Stamford Bridge club. He previously worked for the Daily Mirror and BBC Radio Manchester, as well as a period working in the UK charity sector.