Chelsea FC vs. Everton FC: Predicting AVB's Starting XI Against the Toffees

This Saturday, Andre Villas-Boas' Blues side will face off against David Moyes' Toffees at Stamford Bridge.

Everton have had a decent start to this campaign, and have proven themselves to be no pushovers. Their performance against Manchester City a few weeks ago at Eastlands was a testament to their quality.

So this week, AVB will be looking to procure another three points in Chelsea's pursuit to catch up to the Manchester clubs, whom they currently trail by three points.

Here is Villas-Boas' likely starting XI.

GK: Petr Cech

Big surprise here! Petr Cech will once again be in between the posts for the Blues.

Not much more to say about one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

RB: Jose Bosingwa

Seeing as Everton isnt exactly known as a huge attacking threat in the Premier League, AVB will be less hesitant to field a less defensive, more attacking side.

Jose Bosingwa has been the favored right-back since AVB arrived at the Bridge, and although he's taken some heat from fans since the start of the season over what they see as his defensive incapabilities, he'll most likely be a starter for the Blues side this Saturday.

CB: Branislav Ivanovic

This weekend, I suspect AVB will start Iva at CB over David Luiz, whom I believe AVB will be resting for Chelsea's Champions League game against Racing Genk that next Wednesday.

Ivanovic, as we all remember, used to be the preferred RB, until Villas-Boas arrived and moved Bosingwa up the pecking order.

These days, he customarily plays alongside John Terry at CB when AVB opts for him over D. Luiz, and I think we'll be seeing that arrangement this Saturday as well.

CB: John Terry

John Terry is another player who has a guaranteed starting spot in just about every game.

Despite his age, he is still a solid player and is certainly still every bit the leader on the pitch he ever was.

LB: Ashley Cole

Another cemented starter in the Blues side. Ashley Cole will once again be starting on Saturday.

Age has seemed to have had no effect on the Englishman, who at 30, is still starting every game and performing brilliantly.

CM: Ramires

Ramires is without a doubt the most hard working player for Chelsea.

His agility and stamina are almost incomprehensible, and he'll again be a starter in AVB's XI this Saturday for sure.

His agility and versatility on the pitch, and of course his great eye for goal, make him one of the biggest prospects Chelsea have.

CM: Raul Meireles

Chelsea's last acquisition of the summer transfer window has turned out to be a good one.

Raul Miereles adds another creative influence to the Blues side which seemed to be lacking for quite awhile.

This considered, he'll probably be a starter on Saturday against the Toffees.

CAM: Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard: Proving his critics wrong every game.

Or so it seems anyway.

Lamps will probably be the preferred starter on Saturday, and who can complain about that? He played masterfully against Valencia, scoring against them as well.

That, coupled with his hat-trick against the Trotters last week pretty much cement his place in the XI.

He seems to have taken his critics' words of doubt and shoved them back down their throats, and will no doubt be eager to prove himself further to both AVB and his many nay-sayers.

LW: Juan Mata

Juan Mata is looking more and more every match to be Chelsea's best purchase in some time.

He adds something to the Blues side they haven't had in quite a while, and he's a guaranteed starter in essentially every game.

RW: Daniel Sturridge

After a brilliant performance against Bolton Wanderers last week, Daniel Sturridge will be the probable starter versus Everton at RW.

He has been on fire this season after his loan spell at the Trotters from January to May last season, and will again be anxious to prove his worth to AVB.

He also may be looking to catch the eye of England coach Fabio Capello in light of Wayne Rooney's red card and eventual suspension in the Euro 2012 Championship.

He'll doubtless be looking to perhaps take Wayne Rooney's spot in the roster for the next few matches, as teammate Frank Lampard indicated this week, and the next few games will be the perfect chance for him to prove his worth to Capello.

CF: Didier Drogba

Again, Drogba will most likely be AVB's starter in the CF position as he was against Bolton.

With Fernando Torres still on suspension, the Ivorian will be leading Chelsea's attack against the Toffees, and will be eager to get on the scoresheet after a rather barren last nine months.

Contract controversy aside, the Drog will be as much the beast he always is.

Conclusion

In the end, the offensive side AVB will likely field will be quite a test for the Toffees, and I suspect it will be too much of one for them to fend off.

What are your opinions? Post them below, and thanks for reading.