Chelsea vs Everton team news: Confirmed line-ups as hosts target top five spot

Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League’s early kick-off knowing a win could, temporarily at least, move them into the top five.

The Blues are chasing a Champions League spot next season and are currently in sixth spot, just two points behind Newcastle with five league games remaining.

The Magpies welcome Ipswich Town to St James’ Park in one of four league matches kicking off at 3pm.

Despite a last-gasp 2-1 win over Fulham last weekend, pressure remains on Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who will be absent from the dugout this weekend due to suspension.

The win extended Chelsea’s unbeaten league run to four games and they go into the tie boasting an impressive home record against the Toffees.

The last time the Blues lost to Everton at the Bride was 1994, a run stretching to 29 league games that also stands as Chelsea’s longest ever unbeaten home run against any opponent.

And Maresca’s men will be looking to continue that remarkable run ahead of Thursday’s trip to Sweden to face Djurgarden in the Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg.

But victory will by no means be a foregone conclusion. Everton had been rejuvenated under David Moyes and have become a tough team to beat during the second half of the season.

Read on to see how the two teams line-up for the clash at the Bridge.

Good morning, Blues! #CFC | #CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/INvBq7cn6G

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 26, 2025

Chelsea team news

As expected, Maresca opts for a strong XI. Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, who grabbed the late winner against Fulham, both start, while Cole Palmer, whose recent 16-game goal drought Maresca believes is “a mental thing” is also named in the starting team.

Tyrique George, who also scored in the win at Craven Cottage, is on the bench. Nicolas Jackson will hope to provide the fire power up top.

How we line-up Everton! #CFC | #CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/VbsPWVHhPm

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 26, 2025

Everton team news

Jordan Pickford has kept more clean sheets (seven) against Chelsea than he is against any other side.

The England goalkeeper, who captains the side, starts between the sticks for the Toffees, behind a back four of Nathan Patterson, Jake O’Brien, Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko.

James Tarkowski’s season appears over after he picked up a hamstring injury against Man City. Michael Keane, who came in to replace him, is on the bench.

Beto leads the attack, with Armando Broja, on loan from Chelsea, ineligible to face his parent club, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin still out with injury.

Your Everton XI for today’s clash at Chelsea! pic.twitter.com/oEXC7ExXe0

— Everton (@Everton) April 26, 2025