EPL: Everton v Chelsea preview
Everton v Chelsea preview
Everton will put their revival under Sam Allardyce to the test when they host in-form Chelsea in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
The Toffees have won four of their last five Premier League games to lift themselves away from the relegation zone and now sit just six points behind seventh-placed Tottenham ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
First-half goals from Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata earned Chelsea a comfortable win in the reverse fixture in August and the Blues have consolidated their place in the top four on the back of eight wins in their last 10 Premier
But they will be without suspended striker Alvaro Morata, who picked up a late yellow card in the team's 2-1 victory against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Spanish forward was celebrating his winning goal when he placed the ball under his shirt to reference his wife's pregnancy, leading to referee Lee Mason cautioning him.
"It's a pity, but we have to accept the decision, to try at the same time in the future to pay great attention," said Antonio Conte.
"In that moment we were enjoying the goal and I didn't see the situation. I knew that he tried to celebrate the goal with the ball under the shirt. You can allow this because this is a celebration. You are showing your joy."
Team news
Yannick Bolasie could be in contention to return to the Everton squad for the first time in 12 months after rupturing knee ligaments against Manchester United last season.
Seamus Coleman (broken leg) and Ramiro Funes Mori (knee) remain long-term absentees while Leighton Baines (calf), Maarten Stekelenburg (groin) and Ross Barkley (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Morata's absence could mean that Eden Hazard leads the line in a false nine role after Michy Batshuayi disappointed when handed a start in the game against Bournemouth.
David Luiz, who has been linked with a January exit from Stamford Bridge, continues to be sidelined with a knee injury while Charly Musonda is also unavailable due to a groin strain.
First-half goals from Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata earned Chelsea a comfortable win in the reverse fixture in August and the Blues have consolidated their place in the top four on the back of eight wins in their last 10 Premier
But they will be without suspended striker Alvaro Morata, who picked up a late yellow card in the team's 2-1 victory against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Spanish forward was celebrating his winning goal when he placed the ball under his shirt to reference his wife's pregnancy, leading to referee Lee Mason cautioning him.
"It's a pity, but we have to accept the decision, to try at the same time in the future to pay great attention," said Antonio Conte.
"In that moment we were enjoying the goal and I didn't see the situation. I knew that he tried to celebrate the goal with the ball under the shirt. You can allow this because this is a celebration. You are showing your joy."
Team news
Yannick Bolasie could be in contention to return to the Everton squad for the first time in 12 months after rupturing knee ligaments against Manchester United last season.
Seamus Coleman (broken leg) and Ramiro Funes Mori (knee) remain long-term absentees while Leighton Baines (calf), Maarten Stekelenburg (groin) and Ross Barkley (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Morata's absence could mean that Eden Hazard leads the line in a false nine role after Michy Batshuayi disappointed when handed a start in the game against Bournemouth.
David Luiz, who has been linked with a January exit from Stamford Bridge, continues to be sidelined with a knee injury while Charly Musonda is also unavailable due to a groin strain.