Stamford Bridge plays host to a fascinating tactical tussle under the lights, as Enzo Maresca’s possession-hungry side welcomes a rejuvenated Everton. This isn’t just a mid-table scrap; it’s a genuine top-four six-pointer. The narrative is clear: the hosts want to suffocate the game with the ball, while the visitors, led by the pragmatic David Moyes, will look to absorb pressure and strike with surgical precision on the break.
Form Guide
Chelsea
Life under Enzo Maresca has been a rollercoaster of high-concept football and baffling defensive lapses. Currently sitting fourth, the West Londoners are in a bit of a rut, having gone winless in their last three Premier League outings (one loss, two draws). While their commitment to positional play allows them to dominate possession, they have developed a nasty habit of conceding cheap goals from defensive errors.
Everton
In stark contrast, the mood on the blue half of Merseyside is electric. David Moyes has the Toffees marching in rhythm, boasting four wins from their last five matches. This stellar run has propelled them to fifth in the table, breathing down the necks of their upcoming opponents. They are disciplined, hard to beat, and suddenly eyeing European qualification. The visitors are no longer just surviving; they are thriving on defensive solidity and a direct, transitional threat that catches sleeping defenses off guard.
Also read: Brighton and Hove Albion vs West Ham United Premier League Prediction Today | Premier League 2025/26
Key Battles
Pedro Neto vs Vitaliy Mykolenko
Pedro Neto remains one of the most explosive outlets for the hosts. His role under Maresca is to hold the width and isolate defenders one-on-one, using his blistering pace to create chaos in the final third. When the central channels are clogged by a deep block, the Portuguese winger is the dynamite needed to blow the doors open.
However, Vitaliy Mykolenko is the type of no-nonsense defender who relishes a physical battle. A staple of Moyes’ tactical discipline, the Ukrainian full-back rarely wanders out of position. His job will be to deny Neto the space to spin in behind and to force him inside into traffic.
Malo Gusto vs Jack Grealish
Malo Gusto has a heavy workload in this system. Not only is he expected to invert or overlap to support the attack, but he is also the primary recovery defender against counters. His speed and tackling ability are vital, but his high starting position is exactly what the visitors will try to exploit.
Enter Jack Grealish. Operating as a key midfield progressor for the visitors, Grealish’s ability to carry the ball over long distances is the perfect antidote to high pressing. He wins fouls, buys time for his defense to breathe, and has the vision to release runners in transition.
Tactical Outlook
The tactical landscape of this match is set in stone before a ball is even kicked. Maresca’s men will set up in their familiar shape, looking to overload the midfield and circulate the ball patiently. They will rely on the creativity of Cole Palmer and the driving runs of Alejandro Garnacho to unlock the door. However, their high defensive line is a high-risk gamble against a team that transitions as quickly as the visitors do.
On the other side, David Moyes will likely deploy a low-to-mid block, shrinking the space between the lines to frustrate the hosts. Everton will be happy to concede possession, focusing instead on protecting Jordan Pickford’s goal with a forest of bodies. Their plan will hinge on winning the ball in midfield areas perhaps through James Garner or Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and instantly looking for Iliman Ndiaye or Grealish to spring the trap.
Head-to-Head Encounters
Historically, Stamford Bridge has not been a happy hunting ground for the Toffees, but the current momentum shifts the dynamic. Recent meetings have been tight, scrappy affairs, often decided by a single goal. The visitors will take confidence from their recent surge, knowing that the pressure is entirely on the home side to initiate play. Expect a cagey opening, as the away team has no incentive to open up early.
Injury News and Suspensions
Chelsea
The Blues are navigating a tricky period with significant absentees. The midfield engine room is depleted with Moisés Caicedo suspended and Romeo Lavia out with a thigh injury until January. Defensive options are also thin, with Levi Colwill recovering from a long-term knee issue. Liam Delap is listed with a shoulder concern, though he remains in contention for the squad. Dario Essugo is also sidelined until the new year.
Everton
The visitors are not without their own issues. Defensive rock Jarrad Branthwaite is out until mid-January, a significant blow to their backline depth. Seamus Coleman is also missing with a hamstring injury, while Merlin Röhl is unavailable until late December. This puts extra pressure on Michael Keane and James Tarkowski to maintain their partnership.
Possible Playing Squad
Chelsea XI:
Sánchez (GK), Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernández, James, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Delap
Everton XI:
Pickford (GK), Garner, Tarkowski, Keane, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Barry, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Alcaraz, Ndiaye
Match Details at a Glance
| Match | Date | Time | Format | Venue |
| Chelsea vs Everton | December 13, 2025 | 9:00 PM (BDT) / 08:30 PM (INR) | Premier League | Stamford Bridge |
Match Prediction
This has “frustrating evening” written all over it for the Stamford Bridge faithful. While the home side has the technical quality to dominate the ball, their recent lack of cutting edge and defensive fragility plays right into David Moyes’ hands. The visitors are brimming with confidence and have the exact tactical profile, defensive grit and counter-attacking pace, to exploit Maresca’s high line. Expect the hosts to have 70% of the ball but struggle to create clear-cut chances against a packed defense. A draw seems a very likely outcome, with the visitors potentially nicking it if the hosts get careless.
Score Prediction
Chelsea 1–1 Everton; The Blues dominate possession but get caught on the break, with the Toffees snatching a point through grit and set-piece danger.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 01 – Can City Close the Gap on Arsenal against Struggling Tottenham?
Sunderland vs Burnley Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 02 – Can Burnley Find a Lifeline at the Stadium of Light?
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 01 – Can Forest Push Free-Falling Palace Closer to the Drop?
Manchester United vs Fulham Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Feb 01 – Will Fulham Halt the Red Devils’ Winning Run?
