Chelsea vs. Everton: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream and TV Info
Chelsea haven't lost a Premier League game at home to Everton in over 20 years—a run that stretches back to 1994.
Paul Rideout's goal separated the teams in a 1-0 victory for the Toffees that day, with Chelsea reigning supreme ever since, save for a penalty shootout defeat in the 2011 FA Cup.
Travelling to west London this Wednesday, Everton's job is looking as tough as ever.
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Chelsea are flying high at the Premier League's summit, a seven-point cushion over Manchester City meaning the pressure has been eased on Jose Mourinho's players of late.
They're still looking over their shoulder but not with the same amount of trepidation they would be were City putting up a stronger title challenge.
Chelsea can play with the shackles off right now, relaxed and confident in the knowledge a mistake isn't going to cost them dearly in their pursuit of the Premier League crown.
In contrast, Roberto Martinez's side are still trying to turn their season around and will be buoyed by the weekend's goalless draw with Liverpool, yet they still have plenty to do if they are going to come away from Stamford Bridge with something to shout about.
They almost did that last season only to suffer a last-minute 1-0 defeat courtesy of Frank Lampard's free-kick.
That result kept Chelsea in the hunt for the title, but this time the situation is very different with Jose Mourinho's men knowing three points will cement their position ever further as England's No. 1 side.
Given their supremacy this term, Chelsea are already beginning to count down the games to May, when they hope to remain in No. 1 spot.
Victory against Everton will be another step on that path to glory.
Date: Wednesday, February 11
Time: 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: BT Sport (UK) / NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Last 5 games
| Jan 20 | Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea |
| Jan 24 | Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City |
| Jan 27 | Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (AET) |
| Jan 31 | Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City |
| Feb 7 | Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea |
| Jan 10 | Everton 1-1 Manchester City |
| Jan 13 | West Ham 2-2 Everton (AET, West Ham won 9-8 on penalties) |
| Jan 19 | Everton 0-0 West Bromwich Albion |
| Jan 31 | Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton |
| Feb 6 | Everton 0-0 Liverpool |
Predicted formations
Cesc Fabregas is expected to return for Chelsea after missing their past two games through injury (per the Mirror) while we could see Juan Cuadrado make his debut.
Mourinho explained after the weekend's 2-1 win over Aston Villa that Willian had been a concern ahead of that game, so with the clash against Everton coming so soon after, he may well be rested.
If so, that leaves the door open for Cuadrado to open his Stamford Bridge account.
We can expect Loic Remy to lead the line, with Diego Costa serving the last game of his three-match ban.
As for Everton, Leighton Baines remains an injury doubt and Steven Naismith could miss out with a neck complaint.
Tim Howard and Leon Osman remain long-term injuries.
Players to watch
With Diego Costa still missing and Cesc Fabregas just coming back from injury, a lot rides on Eden Hazard to put in another of his usual dominant performances.
The Belgian was instrumental against Aston Villa on Saturday, scoring the opening goal and proving a threat in attack.
If Chelsea are to break down what can be a stubborn Everton rearguard, Hazard will be their talisman as, without him, it's not often Chelsea get in behind and break teams down.
Bryan Oviedo
Leighton Baines is still missing after his Merseyside derby absence, so it will be interesting to see how Bryan Oviedo fills in for his team-mate.
He did well against Liverpool, but facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is a different challenge altogether; especially if he comes up against Juan Cuadrado on his debut.
The Colombian will want to lay down a marker to the fans and his manager, so if he features, Oviedo could well be in for a long night.
Key battle: Eden Hazard vs. Seamus Coleman
Now this is going to be interesting.
Seamus Coleman is a man who enjoys getting forward, but against Eden Hazard, he's going to have to suppress his natural instinct.
If he doesn't, the Belgian is going to have a very eventful game indeed.
Coleman will be forced to play the waiting game against Hazard and his decision-making will be vital, knowing when to stick and twist whenever Everton look to attack.
Hazard will sit tight on Coleman, pushing him back ever deeper and looking to exploit him to get in behind.
It's going to be a real duel between attacker and defender, but equally, Hazard will need to ensure he's on hand to assist Cesar Azpilicueta whenever Coleman does venture forward as the Everton right-back is a real threat.
Prediction
2-0 to Chelsea
Odds
Home win: 1/3
Away win: 10/1
Draw: 9/2
First goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku (12/1)
*Odds via Oddschecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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