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Fifth plays sixth at the Hill Dickinson this lunchtime, in a fixture that isn’t so easy to predict. Chelsea have quickly established an identity under Xabi Alonso as the great entertainers: they’ve scored 15 goals in six matches, with 13 whistling in down the other end. Their last two results – a 3-0 loss at Brentford followed by a 5-1 rout of Bournemouth – illustrate what they’re all about right now. Everton are similarly difficult to pin down, veering between doughty low-scoring shut-out wins (2-0 Palace, 1-0 Ipswich) and rollercoaster 2-2 draws (Manchester United and Hull City, Ainsley Maitland-Niles the centre of attention in both games, for wildly different reasons). The Toffees also remain undefeated, no small feat when you consider the downcast mood around the club at the end of an unsuccessful transfer window.
Throw in the fact that Chelsea don’t particularly like coming to visit the blue half of Merseyside – they’ve lost 2-0 and 3-0 on two of their most recent three visits, the other being a goalless draw – and so while they go into this match as favourites, you wouldn’t exactly risk the farm on it. This could be great fun. Kick-off is at 12.30pm BST. It’s on!
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