Chelsea vs. Everton – EPL, March 8, 2021

This is a huge game as far as Premier League qualification goes. With the Manchester clubs and Leicester looking like they will be taking three of the four berths, this could be a battle for the final spot.

Both sides have looked very good in recent weeks – and come away from Anfield with a famous victory – so this fixture is lining up to be a must-watch.

Everton started the season off in exceptional form before falling away a little around Christmas time. But a recent resurgence has put the Toffees back in contention for a top-four finish. So the odds from BetOnline for an Everton win seem a little large to me. I’m not entirely convinced that Chelsea will be beaten at home, but the odds for the draw are tempting.

Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool last week confirmed that Thomas Tuchel has turned things around at Stamford Bridge – and that the west London club has to be considered for a Premier League spot at the end of the season. It is eight games without a defeat now for Chelsea – and this is a side-on-top form.

Tuchel has started to get Timo Werner playing the way that first attracted Chelsea to the Germany striker – and he will look forward to running at an Everton defense that isn’t one of the fastest in the Premier League. If Chelsea’s midfield can control that part of the pitch, there must be a good chance of a home win on Monday.

But Everton will be just as confident of picking up some more points after three consecutive victories in which no goals were conceded at all. Carlo Ancelotti will be without Colombian defender Yerry Mina once again, but that is about it for the injury list for the visiting team.

Ancelotti will be very aware that if Chelsea is to win this one, his Everton side will be a full four points behind the top four. Although that gap is in no way insurmountable, it does add another level of difficulty at a stage of the season when every single point and game counts.

I’m going for a slightly risky pick for this one, as I think the odds offered for both the draw or an Everton win offer good value. Chelsea is playing very well – and is completely transformed under Tuchel – but if Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin can test the home defense, there might be a good chance of a stalemate at least.