Paul Merson thinks just one goal will separate Chelsea and Everton as he drops score prediction

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend, with Chelsea the opponents at Stamford Bridge.

Everton lost 2-0 to Manchester City at Goodison Park, but did a good job at keeping the visitors at bay for most of the game.

The loss of James Tarkowski to injury put wind in City’s sails, and Nico O’Reilly capitalised on some slack defending to open the scoring, before Mateo Kovacic got a second.

It’s Chelsea up next for Everton, and the Toffees can go into the game officially safe from relegation.

That was confirmed last weekend, so David Moyes now has a chance to perhaps experiment with new tactics and combinations.

But the Scot will hope that the standards don’t drop, even though there’s nothing to really play for now.

Paul Merson makes score prediction for Chelsea vs Everton

While Everton don’t have much to play for, Chelsea certainly do.

The west Londoners are currently in a six-team battle to secure Champions League football.

Currently they sit sixth in the table, but just two points behind Newcastle United in fifth.

They need to win, but Everton would take great satisfaction in putting a spanner in the works.

Th reverse fixture finished goalless, and pundit Paul Merson does not foresee this game being filled with goals either.

And he also does not see an Everton win.

Predicting a 1-0 victory for Chelsea, he told Sportskeeda: “It could be any of these reasons. It’s a shock to me that he has gone so long without a goal.

“Top players always find a way though and he must do it now. This will be a difficult game for Chelsea because Everton are a tough team to beat. You cannot underestimate them. I’m still going for a narrow win for Chelsea here.”

• READ MORE: Everton fringe player is incredibly doing something better than anyone in the Premier League

Chelsea and Everton head to head

Everton can relax with safety now confirmed, but Moyes will still be telling his players to give their all.

When it comes to this fixture, it’s a real mixed bag for Everton.

As per 11v11, the clubs have met 193 times, with Everton winning 60 and Chelsea winning 76. There have been 57 draws.

There has been no dominance for either side in recent times. But Everton are without a win in the last two meetings, with the most recent game at Stamford Bridge a complete non-contest with Chelsea winning 6-0.