Everton v Chelsea preview

Moyes: Reaches managerial milestone

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Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKY BET odds: Everton 4/1, Draw 5/2, Chelsea 8/11

One to Watch: Didier Drogba

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Everton will be keen to bounce back from derby day disappointment when they host Chelsea on Wednesday.

A 1-0 defeat against Liverpool on Saturday broke a nine-match unbeaten run for the Toffees, who have moved quietly into the top half of the table.

Their recent success has been built on solid foundations, with only one defeat suffered in their last 11 top-flight fixtures on home soil.

They have emerged victorious on their last three outings at Goodison Park, with David Moyes' men prevailing 2-0 on each occasion.

They have, however, won none and lost five of their last eight meetings with Chelsea on Merseyside and have gone 18 games without success against the Blues in the league.

On a more positive note, Louis Saha has bagged four goals in five appearances against London sides this term, while Moyes is set to take charge of his 300th Premier League fixture in the Toffees hot-seat.

Chelsea will be looking to spoil his big day, though, with the Blues determined to maintain their grip on top spot.

They sit just two points clear of reigning champions Manchester United at present and know they cannot afford any slip-ups.

Unfortunately for Carlo Ancelotti, his side have won only one of their last five games on the road and will not be relishing a trip to the North West.

The capital giants can, however, boast considerable firepower within their ranks and will once again be looking to their talismanic strike duo to gun down the Toffees.

Didier Drogba has hit top form at just the right time, with the Ivorian hit-man having plundered eight goals in his last eight top-flight outings.

Nicolas Anelka has also been a regular source of ammunition for the Blues this term, and the Frenchman has managed eight goals against Everton over the course of a distinguished career in England.

Team news

Everton will be forced to cope without key duo Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar in a testing encounter.

Fellaini is out with an ankle injury sustained in a tackle with Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield.

Pienaar is suspended following his sending off in the same match.

Mikel Arteta, who replaced Fellaini at Anfield, came through unscathed and could start but Phil Neville, Jack Rodwell and John Heitinga are other midfield options.

Chelsea captain John Terry has recovered from the minor dead leg he collected in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday and will take his place at the heart of the Blues' back four.

But Chelsea have a slight doubt over midfielder Deco as they prepare to head out on the road.

Deco is struggling with a knee injury and may not be risked.

Michael Essien (knee), Jose Bosingwa (knee) and Juliano Belletti (knee) are all sidelined.

Possible starting XIs

Everton: Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Donovan, Rodwell, Osman, Arteta, Cahill, Saha.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka.