Everton’s expected starting XI to face Chelsea - with forgotten man to be recalled amid injury crisis

Everton’s squad heading to Chelsea in the Premier League evening will be depleted, to say the least.

Injuries have hit Rafa Benitez’s side hard and not exactly at the best time for the Toffees boss.

Benitez has found himself come under significant pressure in the Goodison Park hot seat - only five months after his arrival.

A return of just four points from the past 10 games has resulted in Everton sliding down the table and there are fans who even worry a relegation battle is brewing.

The visitors are certainly going to be up against it at Chelsea, who plenty of people have tipped for the title this season.

Still, Benitez would relish to upset his former employers, having served as interim manager at Stamford Bridge during the 2012-13 season.

Here’s how we think Everton will start against Thomas Tuchel’s men.

Goalkeeper and defence

Benitez could have a real dilemma on his hands.

In goal isn't a problem, with England No.1 Jordan Pickford set to continue.

It's Everton's full-backs that are the problem. Lucas Digne - who's missed the past two games following a reported off-field disagreement with Benitez - was supposed to return at left-back.

However, after training with the team on Tuesday, he is now ill and ruled out.

Meanwhile, on the opposite flank, Seamus Coleman is a serious doubt because of injury.

It was Benitez desperately short of options. You would think that Ben Godfrey will continue on the left-hand side regardless.

With Yerry Mina injury, that'll likely mean Michael Keane and Mason Holgate continue in central defence.

Benitez has the option of switching Holgate to right-back and bringing youngster Jarrad Branthwaite into the heart of the rearguard.

However, this is no game for a 20-year-old who has only a handful of Premier League games under his belt.

Instead, if Coleman is unavailable, Jonjoe Kenny should be given a recall.

The academy product is very much surplus to requirements at Goodison, having made just one league appearance off the bench all season.

But Kenny is at least a specialist right-back and that'll give the team more balance than playing two makeshift full-backs.

Midfield

The three-man engine room Benitez played at Palace simply didn't work.

There were no defined roles in the system and it seriously upset the harmony.

You could understand why the tactic was adopted - but it never convinced.

That's mainly because Everton lacked someone to screen the defence in the absence of Allan.

Benitez is hopeful the Brazilian will be available, though. If that's the case, Allan should come in and help break up play.

Fabian Delph's nous could also prove shrewd over the technical ability of Andre Gomes.

That would then allow Abdoulaye Doucoure the freedom to go on his lung-busting runs and break the Chelsea lines if there's a chance to counter.

Forwards

With Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin absent, Salomon Rondon will spearhead the attack.

The Venezuela international has come in for plenty of flak at Goodison but bagged his first goal against Palace.

Not only that, but when he came off the bench, he provided more of a focal point and played a couple of clever passes.

Demarai Gray's been arguably Everton's best player this season and should continue on the right.

Anthony Gordon was again bright when he came on against Palace and almost drilled home an equaliser.

But defensive discipline will be required for this game. Chelsea will have plenty of the ball and nous is needed.

That's why, despite being much maligned by fans, Alex Iwobi will feature in the injury absence of Andros Townsend.

Everton’s predicted line-up

(4-3-3): Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Allan, Delph, Doucoure, Iwobi, Rondon, Gray.