“Let’s make issues proper, collectively,” says Cole Palmer in his Instagram story the night time earlier than Chelsea tackle Everton, again at Stamford Bridge after three right away, two of which we misplaced in fairly disappointing trend. In truth, it’s now 4 and not using a win, matching the longest streak of Enzo Maresca’s tenure as Blues boss.
In fact, lengthy Decembers are simply as common ‘spherical right here as within the catalog of the Counting Crows — na na na na, yeah — however we had purpose to imagine that we might rise above one other top-four scrap this season. Possibly subsequent 12 months.
Commercial
For now, having dropped to fifth behind a surging Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa (video games in opposition to each developing in a pair weeks, too), the struggle could be very a lot on for Champions League locations. 4 factors separate fourth from twelfth. Winter will declare just a few victims; can we halt the slide and survive?
Date / Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 15.00 GMT; 10am EST; 8:30pm ISTVenue: Stamford Bridge, SW6Referee: Tom Bramall (on pitch); Stuart Attwell (VAR)Forecast: Sunny, although not heat
On TV: none (UK); USA, Universe (USA); Star Sports activities Sports activities; SuperSport MaXimo 1, Canal+ Sport 4 (NGA); eldewStreaming: no (UK); NBC Sports activities Stay, 40; JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Chelsea workforce information: Chelsea let one other lead slip on Tuesday night time as Atalanta got here from behind to win, 2-1. Enzo Maresca blamed it on the workforce dropping “management” within the second half, however that appeared a reasonably beneficiant evaluation of the state of the sport. We conceded an equalizer and a seemingly inevitable winner with out the house facet having to work significantly arduous for both. In order that’s three frustratingly subpar performances from the workforce after the highs of a pair weeks in the past, once we beat Barcelona so impressively and went toe-to-toe with Arsenal regardless of taking part in with simply ten gamers.
Commercial
It needs to be useful to have somebody like Cole Palmer match, however I’m not fully positive this kind of factor could be solved by one or two particular person gamers. Constant excellence requires collective excellence, in addition to your stars exhibiting up most, if not each night time. Talking of whom, Palmer didn’t journey midweek so hopefully he’s in higher situation than final week. That was his first recreation again, and it confirmed.
One bit of excellent information is that Wesley Fofana’s eye is okay, after it began swelling up and affecting his imaginative and prescient following an unintentional boot to the face by an Atalanta participant. And although Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo, and Roméo Lavia are all out, this would be the final recreation of Moisés Caicedo’s three-match ban.
Everton workforce information: Winners of 4 of 5, the Toffees have shot up the desk and at present sit seventh, only a level and two locations behind us. They could not rating so much, however in addition they don’t concede many, and stored a clear sheet in all 4 of these wins.
Commercial
Former Chelsea spare half Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor is prospering on Merseyside, main the workforce with 4 targets, together with three in his final 4. Fellow summer time arrivals Jack Grealish (on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis) and Thierno Barry have additionally made a constructive impression, even when it’s taken 17 video games for Barry, a £37m striker from Villarreal, to open his account final weekend.
Barry needs to be match after a shoulder damage scare in that very same recreation, whereas Tim Iroegbunam and Gana Gueye are set to return from suspensions. Gana was despatched off for placing his personal teammate, Michael Keane — violent conduct is violent conduct, in any case, no matter goal — so we’ll see to what extent he’s welcomed again to the workforce. (He’s leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations anyway after this recreation.) Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Merlin Röhl are injured.
View from the enemy: Royal Blue Mersey
Beforehand: Chelsea haven’t misplaced at residence to Everton since 1994: 30 straight on the Bridge with out defeat (even Spurs solely went 28 straight). Supervisor David Moyes in the meantime has by no means gained on the Bridge in his lengthy profession; this shall be his twenty first strive. Nicolas Jackson scored the one objective on this fixture final season, which was sufficient as Everton have failed to attain in 4 straight in opposition to us, residence or away.


























Arsenal











































