CHELSEA have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine league matches – and it’s the main reason they wanted to sign England star John Stones.
Jose Mourinho will get a good look at the player Everton refused to sell when the teams meet at Goodison at lunchtime.
The Portuguese boss was desperate to buy the top defender having seen his side fall eight points behind Man City after a dreadful start.
Even this early in the season today looks a must-win match for Chelsea but I’d rather be on both teams to score.
Last season Mourinho was in charge of the meanest defence in the Premier League but they’ve conceded nine goals in four games – only Sunderland have let in more.
John Terry is back from a ban but keeper Thibaut Courtois is out for three months with a knee injury so Azmir Begovic takes over.
Last season this fixture ended 6-3 to the visitors and with Romelu Lukaku – four goals in five games – the home side will be confident of netting and at least avoiding defeat. Lukaku is 27-10 at 888sport to hit the target against his former side.
Just to score the Toffees are 1-2 at Betfred and both to net pays 10-11.
Everton are as big as 16-5 at McBookie to win and I’m looking at them at 10-11 with boylesports not to lose. If you fancy Chelsea they are 1-1 at McBookie and BetVictor.
The other live game in the Premiership today sees Man United entertain Liverpool at 5.30pm. Both have started with seven points from four games but both have struggled on the goals front.
My gut feeling is to take under 2.5 goals at 3-4 with McBookie and while it has the feel of a draw United could edge it with Liverpool missing key man Philippe Coutinho.
Keeper David de Gea could give United a boost by starting after signing a new megabucks four-year contract worth £200k a week.
The home men are 19-20 at Betfred while new England record scorer Wayne Rooney is 7-4 at bet365 to grab his first league goal of the season.
Leaders Man City travel to Crystal Palace and look a little short at 13-20 with sportingbet when you consider the home men beat Chelsea away.
City, who will hope their international stars are not jaded, have netted at least two in every game and Palace have scored in all of their matches so consider over 2.5 goals at 4-6 with Skybet.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
