Two under pressure managers clash on Wednesday evening as Chelsea face Everton at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup. The two teams have already met in the Premier League this season and Chelsea grabbed a 2-0 home victory in August after having beaten Everton in both league matches last season as well, 5-0 in London and 3-0 at Goodison Park. Everton have won just two of the last ten direct matches in all competitions, and both victories were recorded at Goodison Park. The Toffees have not won at Stamford Bridge since 1994.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was under considerable pressure after having recorded two consecutive Premier League defeats and a 3-3 home draw against Roma in the Champions League, but last weekend the Blues managed to beat Watford 4-2 and things got calmer at Stamford Bridge. However, any disappointing result might bring the pressure back on Conte's shoulders. Daniel Drinkwater, Victor Moses and N'Golo Kante are injured and the Italian manager will most likely use the League Cup as an opportunity to give younger players some game time.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman was sacked on Monday, the Toffees were without a victory in five matches in all competitions and last weekend they got hammered 5-2 at home by Arsenal. That was their third defeat in the last four matches and since they won just two Premier League games so far this season it is understandable why fans and board were growing restless. Under-23 team coach David Unsworth will take charge on an interim basis, the pressure will be all on him on Wednesday evening. Idrissa Gueye is suspended, while Ross Barkley, Yannick Bolasie, Ramiro Funes and Seamus Coleman remain injured.
Probable line-ups:
Chelsea: Caballero - Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger - Zappacosta, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Kenedy - Musonda, Batshuayi, Willian
Everton: Stekelenburg - Martina, Keane, Jagielka, Baines - Schneiderlin, Besic - Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson, Lookman - Rooney
My prediction: Chelsea to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chelsea win - 1.44
Draw - 4.75
Everton win - 8.00
10/25/17, 06:10:26 PM
