On Thursday, Everton (5 wins, 8 losses, 3 draws) will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea (11-2-3). Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Chelsea vs. Everton odds and lines, and make our best EPL bets, picks and predictions.
One of the top-three teams in the EPL, Chelsea is coming off a win against Leeds United. It was a 3-2 game, and given the talent difference, it should’ve been more like 4-1.
Chelsea is just 2-1-1 over their last four. Their strength is in their defense, having given up just 11 games all season, second only to Man City.
As for Everton, despite a strong start, they now sit 14th on the table. Defense has been their key weakness, giving up 28 goals in 16 games and scoring 20.
They’ve lost 4 of their last 5 – including two games to Liverpool and Man City in which they lost a combined 7-1. Chelsea will come in as heavy favorites at home.
Chelsea vs. Everton: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Chelsea -420 (bet $100 to win $420) | Everton +1200 (bet $100 to win $1200) | Draw +520
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -145 | U: +115)
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Prediction
Chelsea 3, Everton 1
Money line (ML)
PASS on the money line. While Chelsea has shown some flaws, betting on them to even draw at home isn’t a smart move.
However, I wouldn’t mind tossing out BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at +135. Everton is averaging over a goal per game, and they do have a couple of elite attackers.
While many players for Everton will be out, Demarai Gray is expected to play, and he’s leading the team with five goals. His pace in the middle of the field should give their offense a fighting chance at scoring.
Also Chelsea has given up 11 in 16 games, so it’s certainly possible one slips by their defense. As for their attack, they average over two per game and are playing a weak Everton, they should be just fine there.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET on the OVER ALTERNATE LINE 3.5 (+165) as the best bet in this game. Chelsea has gone over this total in its last two games, totaling 5 combined goals in each.
Add in a six-goal match in their Dec. 8 showing, and it’s clear their backline hasn’t been as steady as they’d hope.
With Gray still in the lineup, Everton should be able to put pressure on them. For Chelsea, with F Romelu Lukaku healthy and also Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic set to be available, their attack will be lethal as well.
N’Golo Kante, one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, will be doubtful, per whoscored.com. That should hamper an already weak Chelsea defense. For those reasons, betting on more goals seems like the smarter move.
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