Chelsea v Everton: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Rafa Benitez, the Chelsea manager, called the win a “massive result” for the club as the edged closer to securing the Champions' League qualification he was tasked with delivering (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Rafa Benitez and David Moyes will take charge of their respective clubs for the final time on Sunday as Chelsea look to record victory over Everton to avoid a third-place play-off with Arsenal.

Should the Blues draw and Arsenal win by a one-goal margin while scoring two goals more than Chelsea, both teams will be level on points and goals scored. This would then result in the first play-off in Premier League history to determine who earns the sought-after spot in the Champions League group stages and who is forced into the qualifying rounds.

For Rafa Benitez, third place will be the cherry on the cake of his interim spell – a tenure already successful in acquiring a trophy following Chelsea’s Europa League victory in Wednesday’s final with Benfica.

This season’s draw specialists Everton are already assured of sixth place, which although slightly disappointing to have marginally missed out on a place in the top five and Europe, will still delight the Goodison Park faithful as it means they finish above rivals Liverpool for a second successive season – the first time they have done so in over 50 years.

Manchester United-bound Moyes will wish to end his Everton reign on a high and while his side are in form with just two defeats in their last ten games, their opponents will still be on a high from their Europa League success, although they are expected to still be without the injured Eden Hazard and John Terry.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Everton 1 (Pienaar), Chelsea 2 (Lampard 2), Premier League, December 2012

Everton 2 (Pienaar, Stracqualursi), Chelsea 0, Premier League, February 2012

Everton 1(Saha), Chelsea 2 (Kalou, Sturridge), League Cup, October 2011

STATS…

• David Moyes have never won at Stamford Bridge with Everton, despite having 13 attempts across all competitions.
• Everton have already notched 15 draws in the Premier League this season – more than any other club.
• Victory for Everton would give them their best points record in the Premier League – one more than the 65 they achieved in 2007-08.
• Five of the last six Premier League meetings between these two sides have resulted in a closely-contested draw.

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.7

Everton to win: 3.5

Draw: 4.1

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:25pm.