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Chelsea Vs Everton: Preview, Team News, Line-Ups, Match Facts and Prediction

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Chelsea vs Everton

May 19, 2013 at 4:00pm (UK )

Stamford Bridge

Frank Lampard has given Chelsea 12 amazing years of service. He has created cherished memories and became the idol of many fans. However, looking forward, it is time for the club to let go. While Frank’s contributions in shirt sales and goal scoring feats are undoubtedly crucial, keeping a 34 year old veteran at the club with a huge wage bill is a risk not many will take. Furthermore, the presence of other midfield talents around the world may prove to be more attractive and less expensive acquisitions.
Will Lampard score again today?

Chelsea host Everton on the final day of this season‘s Barclays Premier League, with both teams looking to give their managers a great farewell as David Moyes will take charge of Man United next season and Rafa Benitez will most probably leave Chelsea but the bigger thing at stake today will be those 3 crucial points which will guarantee Chelsea a direct spot in next season‘s Champions League.

Chelsea will be on a high after winning the Europa league mid-week in Amsterdam against Benfica and a win today and the 3rd place in standings will be the icing on the cake for Rafa Benitez ‘s ‘interim’ spell at Chelsea. The Spaniard had a tough time early on in his Chelsea career but is on course to finishing it in an emphatic way by winning a trophy and qualifying for the CL in what has been an exhausting season for Chelsea.

All the matches today will be kicking off at the same time,so the bigger and exciting prospect today to look forward is whether there will be a third place play off or not.Let me clear that to you-

‘If Chelsea are unable to win the game today and end it in a draw and if Arsenal beat Newcastle today and score two more goals than Chelsea, then they both will be tied on equal points, equal goal difference and equal number of goals scored which will lead to the first ever play off in Premier League history to decide which team gets the automatic champions league qualification berth.’

Everton, on the other hand have got nothing to play for today but only for the pride of their manager as they are guaranteed a 6th spot in the standing but will be considered unfortunate as they will not be able to participate in next year ‘s Europa League following Wigan and Swansea City ‘s cup success. Everton fans will still be happy though as they finish above their fierce rivals Liverpool in the League standings for the second season running.

But, we should not expect a dull encounter as Moyes will be looking to good bye his beloved club in style and move on and look ahead to achieve what Sir Alex did with United. Everton have lost just one game in their last 10 league outings and are on a good run of form.

Team News

Chelsea will have to check on the fitness of John Terry and their talismanic play-maker Eden Hazard after both were ruled out of the Europa League final. John Obi Mikel may get a chance to start today in the midfield as he has recovered from a hip injury which kept him out of the Europa League final as well. Striker Demba Ba is back but Benitez may look to start with the man-in-form Fernando Torres.

Everton Captain Phil Neville will miss out on a farewell occasion as he is ruled out with a knee injury.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS:

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Ramires, Mata, Oscar; Torres

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Fellaini, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Mirallas, Anichebe

MATCH FACTS:

  • Steven Pienaar has scored in the opening five minutes in both of the last two games between Everton and Chelsea in the Premier League
  • Chelsea have won the most points in games between the top six sides in the Premier League table this season (17)
  • Chelsea have scored the most headed goals in the Premier League this season (16), while only Wigan (15) have conceded more in this manner than Everton (14)

PREDICTION:

CHELSEA 2-2 EVERTON

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