The start of the current Premier League campaign has been a rough one for both Everton and Chelsea, with both teams winning just a match each over their first four. Now they face off at Goodison Park, with both Roberto Martinez and Jose Mourinho eager to use this
Chelsea vs. Everton 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Chelsea and Everton have both started the season poorly. Is it time for one of these teams to kick-start their season?
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That won’t be an easy task, as there are good reasons for each side to struggle. Both have seen their defenses and midfields under-perform, to a degree that while each attack has been potent, it’s been virtually useless because of the issues elsewhere on the pitch. With such issues in so strong of evidence, that means that whichever team manages to put in the more complete performance will likely emerge with three points and finally start a climb up the table.
Key player -- Ross Barkley (Everton)
Barkley has been by far Everton’s best player this season, and one of the better stars in the Premier League in general. The 21 year old has been a force in the Toffees’ midfield, cutting through defenses like a scythe through wheat. Everton will need him to be better than ever in this match, though, because even if Chelsea’s defense is struggling, they’re still a very talented unit who can turn things around quickly. If Barkley’s at his best, he can keep Everton in this match almost single-handedly -- if he’s not, this match won’t be nearly so much fun for the Goodison Park faithful.
Key factor -- Chelsea’s defense
The root cause of Chelsea’s struggles early in the season has, largely, been their defense. Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, and Cesar Azpilicueta have all been varying degrees of shaky this season, while John Terry has looked mostly like a man closing in on retirement. Now with Thibaut Courtois out for several months, the team has to get used to a new goalkeeper in Asmir Begovic. Begovic is good, make no mistake, but he’s not Courtois and he doesn’t have the same chemistry with his back line that the Belgian does. If this unit continues to struggle, then Everton could be in line for a very, very good day.
Everton injuries and suspensions
Out: Leighton Baines (ankle), Tom Cleverly (ankle), Tony Hibbert (knee), Darron Gibson (foot), Steven Pienaar (thigh) In doubt: Bryan Oviedo (knee), Brendan Galloway (knee)
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Thibaut Courtois (knee), Oscar (muscular) In doubt: none
Everton will be lucky to field any left backs at all, with Baines out for months and both of his backups in doubt. Chelsea, of course, are missing one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Courtois, and that’s going to be a big thing to deal with. It also looks unlikely that they’ll get Oscar back quite yet from his mystery injury, leaving them without a crucial part of their attack.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 7:45 a.m. ET, 12:45 p.m. local
Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN 1, RDS 2 (Canada), BT Sport 1, BT Sport Ultra HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (U.S. - Spanish), BT Sport (U.K.), TSN Canada)
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