Everton Chelsea Odds : Back Jelavic to score first
Everton will be looking to build on a productive January this weekend when they take on a Chelsea side that desperately needs some points in their race for a Champions League place as Footybunker.com visitors can claim Paddy Power free bets on the weekend football.
It is certainly set to be a competitive affair at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon and one which the home side will be really looking forward to.
Not only is Nikica Jelavic – a January recruit from Rangers – set to make his home debut, but the Everton fans will get to see loan signing Stephen Pienaar in an Everton shirt again following his temporary move back to the club from Tottenham.
There is then the small matter of the 1-0 victory over Manchester City in their last home game. The ground was bouncing for this contest and it should be again for the visit of Chelsea.
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Everton do still have a lot to play for this season, after all. It may have taken until February for their season to really kick into gear, but they are three points from 8th at the moment and remain in the FA Cup.
As much as the Toffees will look forward to this weekend’s contest, Chelsea – who have struggled on the road of late – will perhaps not be relishing the contest.
They will of course be keen to get three crucial points on the board in their battle for a place in next season’s Champions League, but this is a difficult time to play Everton.
Andre Villas-Boas men have been held at Swansea and Norwich in their last two Premier League away games and if anything, with the goals drying up away from Stamford Bridge, they will be nervous heading into this one.
They have scored twice or more in only one of the their last five away league games, with four of these ending all square. With Newcastle just a point behind them in the race for a top four place and Arsenal and Liverpool also likely to be in contention, the away form has to improve.
They have been boosted with the return of Frank Lampard for this weekend though, although captain John Terry will miss out with a knee injury.
As mentioned, Everton could hand starts to a couple of new-signings, so it should be a fascinating afternoon at Goodison Park.
