Chelsea v Everton Betting Tips

Saturday evening kick-off in the Premier League sees two teams aiming for a return to European football next season go head-to-head.

Chelsea have been pretty imperious following their consecutive losses against fellow Champions League chasers Liverpool and Arsenal at the end of September. Since those defeats they have won their last four matches and all by a ‘to nil’ scoreline. Additionally, it was not like they were facing relegation candidates in that time with three of those victories coming against champions Leicester City, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and in-form Southampton.

Furthermore, after such a dismal home record last season where they won just one of their last ten matches at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have been on a great run of form at home this season, winning all of their matches bar that 2-1 loss against Liverpool.

With much of the attention going to the likes of Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez this season for their goal-scoring exploits, it is easy to forget that Chelsea striker Diego Costa is in fact top of the Premier League goal-scoring charts with eight goals.

After a disappointing season last year, Costa, along with midfielder Eden Hazard, has found his spark once more and is showing why he is at one of Europe’s top clubs. Spaniard Costa has scored three of his eight Premier League goals this season in his last four matches.

Although Chelsea are on a good run, they face an Everton side whose recent poor form is a false picture.

Following their explosive start to the season Ronald Koeman’s Everton had a bit of a barren run. Fortunately for them they set themselves on the road to recovery last weekend with a vital home victory against West Ham United which will no doubt be a booster going into the match at Stamford Bridge.

As I have mentioned numerous times on Everton tips, the Toffees have one of the best defensive units in the Premier League, especially down the middle where Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye sit in front of the solid duo of Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka. Unfortunately for Ronald Koeman, the aforementioned Gueye is suspended and, with several other central midfielders injured, the Dutchman may have to play somebody out of position in the Senegalese’s place. This could really swing the balance in favour of Chelsea

Furthermore, the head-to-head record is heavily against the away side here with Everton last winning an away match in the league at Stamford Bridge in 1994.

Whilst I expect Chelsea to win, Everton are one of the top sides in the league (despite recent form saying otherwise) and it could be quite a tight game.

William Hill probably offer the best market involving a Chelsea win with ‘Chelsea to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1’ at an almost stake trebling 19/10. This plays right into the hands of what I was saying about it being a tight game and, although Chelsea have won their last few matches to nil, that 2-1 option could be useful here. In-form Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will no doubt want to put one over on his former employers and this 2-1 option allows that to happen.

The other option I have gone for is exactly the same but adding Diego Costa to score into the mix at 5/1.

As previously mentioned, Costa is in great form right now and he certainly has a good chance of scoring here. In fact the best odds the bookmakers are offering on a simple ‘Diego Costa to Score Anytime’ are 19/20 – such is the form of the former Atletico Madrid man right now.

To be able to add such an in-form striker into an already flexible bet and get odds of 5/1 is unmissable.

See more tips for Saturday’s action here.