Gameweek 31 of the 2025/26 Premier League season continues on Saturday, with teams eager to build some momentum going into the international break. Everton vs Chelsea will be the third match on the day, with the two sides eager to secure three points at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend.
Everton’s brief winning run ended last weekend, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal after producing a spirited performance for most of the match. The Merseyside outfit seemed likely to earn a draw before a brilliant cameo by Max Dowman helped Arsenal eke a hard-fought victory. Nevertheless, the Toffees have been impressive under David Moyes this season, with European qualification possible.
On the other hand, Chelsea’s solid start to life under Liam Rosenior is slowly becoming a distant memory. The Blues are on a three-game losing run after bowing out of the UEFA Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, and they have won only four of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
The reverse fixture ended in a 2-0 win for Chelsea, with Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
David Moyes has a new roster issue that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Everton head coach may be bereft of the services of as many as five first-team players vs Chelsea on Saturday.
Tyrique George is the latest absentee, as he cannot face his parent club. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish (foot) and Carlos Alcaraz (unspecified) remain in the treatment room. Additionally, Moyes is sweating over the fitness of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, with the duo facing late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Jordan Pickford is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Everton lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Chelsea on Saturday. The backline will feature Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Vitaliy Mykolenko. Branthwaite will start in place of Tarkowski if the veteran centre-back is not fit and available.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Idrissa Gueye and James Garner in the double pivot, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Thierno Barry will lead the line for Everton against Chelsea, with Harrison Armstrong and Iliman Ndiaye being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
Like his counterpart in the Everton dugout, Liam Rosenior has a new issue to worry about ahead of the trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Everton head coach may be without as many as eight first-team players on Saturday.
Trevoh Chalobah is the latest absentee after sustaining an ankle injury earlier this week in the UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. The English international accompanies Filip Jorgensen (groin), Levi Colwill (knee), and Reece James (hamstring) in the treatment room.
Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension after failing a doping test several months ago. However, Malo Gusto (illness), Jamie Gittens (thigh), and Benoit Badiashile (illness) face late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Everton on Saturday. The backline will feature Josh Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Cucurella.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos in the double pivot, with Enzo Fernandez reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Joao Pedro will spearhead the Chelsea attack against Everton, with Alejandro Garnacho and Cole Palmer being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Acheampong, Sarr, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro
While Cole Palmer, Iliman Ndiaye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Joao Pedro as the Player to Watch for Saturday’s Premier League clash between Everton and Chelsea at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Brazilian international has been involved in eight goals in his last eight appearances away from home in all competitions (G7 A1). His 11 away goals in all competitions this term are the most by a Chelsea player in a campaign since 2019/20 (Tammy Abraham, 12). So, Pedro will be the go-to player for Liam Rosenior this weekend.
With Chelsea struggling in recent outings, Everton will feel they can strike while the iron is hot and secure three points at home while furthering their European aspirations. However, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer have been at their best on their travels, and the attacking duo will deliver the goods in the final third for the away side.
A closely-contested affair is on the cards, and Everton should improve the recent positive run at home against Chelsea. Ultimately, there might not be much to separate the two sides, and The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between the Toffees and the West London club.
