Premier League: Chelsea vs Everton predicted score, key stats, verdict and suggested bets

Premier League, Saturday, March 18, Kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Chelsea 1-1 Everton

Chelsea vs Everton, draw

Chelsea vs Everton, under 2.5 goals

Correct score - Chelsea 1-1 Everton

Chelsea have won three straight games for the first time since October

Chelsea have lost one of their last five games at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea boast the joint-best home defensive record in the Premier League having conceded eight goals

Everton haven't won a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge since 1994

Chelsea are unbeaten at home against Everton in 27 league games

Everton have won just one away Premier League game this season

PL: Everton 0-1 Chelsea, August 2022

PL: Everton 1-0 Chelsea, May 2022

PL: Chelsea 1-1 Everton, December 2021

PL: Chelsea 2-0 Everton, March 2021

PL: Everton 1-0 Chelsea, December 2020

Chelsea have six players who are on the mend, with some potentially ready to make their returns from injury this weekend.

Mason Mount, Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and N'Golo Kante are all being assessed ahead of the home clash with Everton.

The game will come too soon for the defensive duo of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva who are expected to return in April.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could make his return after struggling with a thigh injury. Nathan Patterson is another name who could be available for Sean Dyche.

Chelsea appear to have finally turned a corner after recording their third-straight victory last weekend.

The Blues have racked up successive wins over Leeds, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester after ending a rotten run of just two victories from 16 games across all competitions.

Chelsea's recent results leave them just five points away from sixth-placed Liverpool and seven points away from fifth-placed Newcastle.

Everton have also picked up important wins since the arrival of Dyche last January.

The Toffees have picked up 10 points from their last seven Premier League games - a run which has significantly boosted their survival hopes.

Everton's last two outings saw them draw 2-2 away at Nottingham Forest before picking up an impressive 1-0 victory against Brentford.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter admitted it takes time to build team spirit after his side won their third straight outing.

He said: "It's been a team performance over the week. It takes time to develop that, but the spirit is growing.

"The togetherness I really like, fighting to play, ready to play. Marc Cucurella has been out of the squad for a while but has now put in two great performances. It epitomises what we're looking for."

Everton boss Sean Dyche spoke about his team's improvement in attack, saying: "We're a work in progress; the league table says that. We're constantly working on improvements.

"I think there have been improvements in the attacking side of the game, and the ways we can operate to be more effective."

If the head-to-head record is in any way an indicator, don't expect to see many goals at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

The previous five meetings have all seen under 2.5 goals, with the 1-0 scoreline landing in three of those games.

Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Leicester last weekend marked the first time a Blues game produced over two goals since January.

Everton matches tend to have more goal-mouth action, with nine goals landing in the last three fixtures featuring the Toffees.

Considering the stakes are high this weekend, an edgy encounter is certainly on the cards. With that in mind, our recommendation is to back the draw.

While Chelsea have undoubtedly improved, there are still question marks over Potter's side. What's more, getting a win over a resilient Everton outfit who are fighting for Premier League survival will be no easy feat.

Backing the draw in the outright market is one way of tackling this fixture, though a bet in the correct score market can also offer good value.