Preview
This weekend Chelsea travel to Goodison Park in what is deemed as a must win match in order to prevent this season from being a complete disaster after crashing out of the Champions League midweek.
The FA Cup is last chance of winning silverware this season and a cup which the players really need to win for the fans. So far this season a large group of the squad have underperformed and at times even showed a lack of willingness for the club. Therefore winning an 8th FA Cup trophy would help make up for this.
Guus Hiddink has shown he is an admirer of The FA Cup in the way he has spoken about the famous trophy in his press conferences. The Dutchman has also fielded strong sides at each stage of the cup so far which will stand us in good stead at a ground which has proved tricky to go and get a result from.
Everton’s best chance of progressing to the semi final will certainly be tomorrow therefore Roberto Martinez and his side won’t take a draw which will result in a replay at Stamford Bridge. You’d expect Everton to certainly play an attacking game and get men forward if it’s level. This could go either way for Chelsea and either leave them open on the counter attack or keep us pegged back.
However Chelsea could certainly be happy with a draw as playing a replay at Stamford Bridge you would expect Hiddink’s side to win and progress to the semi final.
Chelsea have dropped off the pace in the last two games after drawing with Stoke and then losing to PSG. Tomorrow the players certainly need to get back to the performances of the weeks prior to this, when we won 3 back to back games albeit the win at Norwich was nervy towards the end.
Come on you Blues!
Match Details
Saturday, 12th March, kick off at 5:30pm at Goodison Park on BBC 1.
Recent Form
In Everton’s last 5 games they have won 3 (Stoke, Bournemouth and Aston Villa) and lost 2 (West Brom and West Ham). All 3 of Everton’s wins came away from home and their last home win was against Newcastle back at the start of February.
Our form is slightly better than Everton’s across the last 5 games as we have won 3 (Man City, Southampton and Norwich), drawn 1 (Stoke) and lost 1 (PSG). Our draw and loss have both come at home though and under Hiddink we have certainly played much better away from Stamford Bridge. Since he re-took charge we have only won 1 Premier League game at home with the rest ending level.
Team News
In today’s press conference Guus Hiddink confirmed that Eden Hazard has been playing through injury in recent weeks and despite going off late against PSG with a problem, he is available to play against Everton.
He also confirmed John Terry will be in the squad after completing intense training sessions over the last couple of days.
One player who may not make it though is Diego Costa who also went off vs PSG, he will undergo a late fitness test tomorrow.
For Everton, Bryan Oviedo has recently had a chest infection and Aaron Lennon a minor hamstring injury. Martinez says the pair will both have late fitness tests to check their availability. Tom Cleverley is however back fit.
Kevin Mirallas picked up a red card vs West Ham last weekend so will therefore miss the game through suspension.
My Prediction
Everton 1-2 Chelsea
