Chelsea vs Everton: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night as they look to stay within touching distance of Premier League leaders Man City.

The Blues returned to winning ways at the weekend after a brief wobble with a 3-2 victory over Leeds, although they had to rely on an injury-time winner from Jorginho from the penalty spot.

Everton's woes were compounded with a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace, heaping the pressure back on boss Rafael Benitez after a brief reprieve following the win over Arsenal.

Here's everything you need to know about the game.

How to watch Chelsea vs Everton on TV/live stream

When is kick off? Thursday 16 December, 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Michael Oliver
VAR? Darren England

Chelsea team news

Thomas Tuchel could be forgiven for cursing his luck on the injury front, with Ben Chilwell expected to be out until 2022 and a whole host of others only just nearing comebacks.

Mateo Kovacic could return from his isolation period after testing positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of last week, although Trevoh Chalobah is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

N'Golo Kante resumed training on Tuesday after a knee problem, but this match may come too soon.

You can read a predicted lineup for Chelsea here.

Everton team news

Everton have been dealt three significant blows in the build-up to this one, with Richarlison out for a number of weeks with a calf injury, while Andros Townsend has a fracture in his foot and Seamus Coleman has suffered bone bruising and soft tissue damage.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is getting closer to a return after a lengthy injury lay-off, although Allan is a doubt after he was forced off with his own calf problem in the defeat to Crystal Palace. Yerry Mina and Tom Davies won't be available.

Lucas Digne's future at the club is up in the air after the Frenchman was left out of the matchday squad for the previous two league outings with no apparent injury. That followed a touchline spat with his manager.

You can read Everton's predicted lineup here.

Chelsea vs Everton head-to-head record

You have to go all the way back to an FA Cup tie in 2011 for the last time Everton tasted victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have had the better of meetings in west London, winning five out of the last six encounters, although Everton have posed a threat in this fixture before.

Last season's home victory 12 months ago proved to be the beginning of the end for former Blues boss Frank Lampard.

Chelsea vs Everton score prediction

Remove the defeat to Man City and Chelsea's home form has been imperious this season.

Tuchel will be hoping for a greater clinical edge from his players, especially with Romelu Lukaku back in the fold, although patience is likely to win the day against a Rafa Benitez-coached Everton side.

The Toffees still lack an attacking threat of their own in the continued absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and that'll be compounded by Richarlison's injury. This only looks like going one way.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Everton