Everton travel to West London to face League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as they attempt to claim maximum points at the Bridge for the first time since 1994.

The Toffees are 12th in the table and come into this match having gained a paltry nine points from their last nine matches including a drab 0-0 draw against Liverpool at the weekend.

Roberto Martinez’s men need to start picking up points fast to avoid a relegation scramble but they face an uphill task against a Chelsea side that has dropped just two points at home in the league all season.

The Blues on the other hand could extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points if they beat Everton and Manchester City lose away to Stoke. Mourinho has been grumpy recently but you can be sure he’s a very happy man at the moment and will be keen to strengthen his grip on the title.

The previous meeting between the sides this season saw Chelsea come out top 6-3 in one of the most entertaining games of the season. However, don’t expect a repeat performance here per Mourinho.

Team News

Chelsea welcome Cesc Fabregas back into the squad after the Spanish midfielder sat out of the last two matches with a hamstring problem. Diego Costa serves the last of his three match ban so either Loic Remy or Didier Drogba will lead the line in his absence.

John Obi Mikel and Felipe Luis are sidelined due to injury, but Gary Cahill should be fit enough to start despite picking up knock at Aston Villa and will pair with John Terry at the heart of the defense.

Everton are missing a couple players for this fixture including Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar while the on-loan Christian Atsu, Africa’s best player at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations tournament, is ineligible to face his parent club. Tim Howard should be in the squad after recovering from injury.

In other news, Leighton Baines should be back in the starting lineup after missing the Merseyside derby and will replace Bryan Oviedo at left-back. Steven Naismith and Muhamed Besic will undergo late fitness tests to ascertain their availability, while Aaron Lennon could make his first start for Everton since moving on-loan from Spurs.

Predicted lineups