ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - CHELSEA V EVERTON

English Premier

2009-12-12 - Chelsea vs Everton

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

Chelsea who suffered a surprise defeat to Manchester City will aim to get back to winning ways when they welcome the visit of Everton for this clash at Stamford Bridge.

After losing to Blackburn on penalties and then suffering a 2-1 reverse at Manchester City in the league they now find their lead cut to just two points in the standings. Those defeats were followed by a 2-2 home draw with Cypriot minnows Apoel Nicosia in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

But let's not forget that Chelsea still has the best home record in the Premiership with seven straight wins, with 20 goals for and just one against. And since Everton has a poor defence, the Blues will expect to score in this match against them as they have already conceded 27 goals in 15 top-flight matches, almost two a game, compared with less than one a game last season.

Everton, who are injury hit can at least take positive from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last two matches defeating AEK Athens in Greece before coming from two goals down to earn a creditable home draw with Spurs in the league in their last fixture.

As for the team news, Chelsea will be missing without influential midfielder Michael Essien after the Ghana international limped out of the Apoel draw. Essien will be out for at least three weeks now after suffering a tear in his right hamstring, meaning he is unlikely to make a return to the side before the start of next month's African Cup of Nations.

Midfielder Deco will also be missing because his father is ill and defender Alex (thigh) and Salomon Kalou (thigh) are also out. However, both Alex and Kalou are expected to be fit for the home game with Portsmouth next week. Jose Bosingwa is out with a long-term knee injury and will not be back until next year.

The likes of Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka will return after being rested in midweek.

For Everton, midfielder Tim Cahill is suspended after the Australia international accumulated his fifth booking of the season in the draw against Spurs and serves a one match automatic ban. And with centre-half Joseph Yobo ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring problem Moyes will have problems at the back. That means full-back Tony Hibbert is likely to continue to deputise alongside John Heitinga, who returns after suspension.

Take Chelsea and give the 1 3/4 ball here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Chelsea to win here.