EPL Week 25: Everton vs. Chelsea and 5 Hot-to-Trot Tips

These two sides meet in this Week 25 clash with both desperately needing the three points that are on offer.

For Everton, it's a chance to continue to prove themselves against the Premier League's best and an opportunity to jump back into the top half of the ladder.

Chelsea will see this game as a must-win game if they are to continue to stay in the hunt for Champions League success—especially with the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal all in tough matches this week.

So with the three points on the line and both sides definitely confident at taking them home with them, this one could prove to be an interesting matchup.

Whether you're a diehard supporter or just a casual observer, here are five hot-to-trot money-making tips that are sure to make this game even greater for you.

Head-to-head

It's no secret that in 2012, Chelsea have been on a different side on the road than the one they have been on at Stamford Bridge. They are scoring over 60 percent of their goals at home, and their matches as a whole usually feature an average of nearly one and a half more goals than their away matches.

Everton, on the other hand, play the same tough-nut style of football every week it seems. Very rarely will you catch a poor performance, but at the same time, brilliant ones are also hard to come by at times.

At home, they are still one of the toughest sides to beat in the Premier League—case in point being the Manchester City match just a few weeks back.

However, you've got to think that the Blues will still be furious at somehow throwing away a three-goal lead and a certain victory against the Red Devils, and that this match against Everton will still feature the same attacking flair but with more certainty and composure at the back.

I like Everton at home and I usually vouch for them there, but I can't look past how the Blues will be feeling after last week. That draw will feel like a loss to United for them and they'll come out with vengeance up front and pure class at the back in this one.

Hot-to-trot tip: Chelsea to win

First-half result

As I said, I fully expect Chelsea to come out strong at the back and hold out Everton early—something they should have no problem doing as they currently rank third last in the league with goals scored, averaging just one goal per game.

And on the road, the Blues have the best defense in the league—averaging only 0.83 goals allowed per match away from home.

I think Everton will struggle to get on the board, early or late, and will be unlikely to grab a goal before the interval. Chelsea on the other hand will have the class to get past a strong Everton defense and put up one and head in to the half with a crucial lead.

So take Chelsea to be up 1-0 at half time, but if you're also feeling ambitious, take Chelsea to win this match to nil.

Hot-to-trot tip: Chelsea to lead 1-0 at half time

Total goals for the match

This one is pretty much a no-brainer for me. You've got Everton's strong defense and Chelsea's competence at the back when they're away from home this year.

70.8 percent of Everton's matches have gone under 2.5 goals, and 58.3 percent of the Blues' away matches have also followed a similar pattern.

This one is going under.

Hot-to-trot tip: Under 2.5 goals for the match

Player to score at any time

This is the money one for me, with winners in three of the last four selections here, and after his father's mid-week spray, Daniel Sturridge might just be the man for us here. In short, Daniel's father stated that he was being waste on the wing and that his potential was not being tapped.

Nothing like heaping some pressure on your son is there?

If he can get on the score sheet, he would not only prove his father right, but would also please him as well. It would satisfy his coach and would please Chelsea fans to no end.

He's already scored nine goals for the year, but two-thirds of those have come on the road and he looks like good value to score at any time. If you're feeling ambitious, take him to grab the first goal for some extra value, but for the rest of us, take him to score at any time.

Hot-to-trot tip: Daniel Sturridge to score at any time

Final score

Well after an early Chelsea goal, expect this match to take a serious defensive turn in the second half. The Blues will always be tough to score against, and Chelsea away from home are also difficult side to find the back of the net against.

Everton have lost 1-0 at home three times this year, but do appear to have the wood on Chelsea at Goodison Park of late.

Still, I'm with the Blues here to hang on to their Champions League dreams and grab the points in this one. I expect the match to sit 1-0 for a long time for the Blues, and perhaps a late goal just to seal the victory from Juan Mata.

Hot-to-trot tip: Chelsea to win 2-0

Tips for every match this week? Click here.

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