Everton will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the league season, as they welcome Xabi Alonso's Chelsea to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees drew 2-2 with Hull City at the weekend, but the result kept their unbeaten run at 10 matches and their league run at six. However, Everton have drawn four of those six matches, and in two of their last four league games, they have had to come from behind to obtain a result. The hosts have picked up their only two league wins this campaign at home, although their opponents were considerably weaker than Chelsea in this fixture.
It's interesting to judge Everton at the moment, as results would suggest they are going strong in the league and the league table proves it. At the same time, the Toffees have conceded goals past the 70-minute mark in two of their last four league games, which could prove to be their undoing against a Chelsea side bolstering a lethal attack.
Chelsea has the third-best attack in the division behind Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City, and the talented trio of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro have provided 11 of the 15 goals Chelsea have scored this season.
The Blues were rampant last time out against AFC Bournemouth, sailing to a two-goal lead in the opening five minutes and eventually winning 5-1 at home, but a clean sheet still eludes Xabi Alonso's side. The win against Bournemouth ended a three-game run where the Blues failed to pick up a league win and now Chelsea can set their sights on the top five.
Cole Palmer is likely to be the difference-maker in this fixture. Palmer has five goal contributions to his name already this season. Palmer also has a good record against the Toffees with five goals in seven appearances in this fixture.
This game will be close but Chelsea's attacking options should see them over the line here.
Everton 1-2 Chelsea
