Everton host Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 17 October 2026, for a 12:30 BST Premier League kickoff. Both clubs enter the weekend level on 10 points after six matches, with the Toffees sitting fifth on goal difference while seeking an immediate response following a draw at Hull City.
Hill Dickinson Stadium Match Details and Where to Watch
The early Saturday fixture on Merseyside pits David Moyes’s unbeaten Toffees against a visiting Chelsea side looking to build momentum under Xabi Alonso. Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with broadcast coverage commencing at 11:30 BST ahead of the 12:30 BST start time. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the HBO Max app and website, while radio listeners can tune in to talkSPORT.
🔵 EVERTON vs CHELSEA | PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW ⚽📍 Hill Dickinson Stadium | 17 October 2026📊 FORM & DATA• Everton: Unbeaten in their opening 6 league games (2W, 4D)• Chelsea: Coming off a dominant 5–1 win over Bournemouth• Everton have won just 1 of Chelsea’s last 9… pic.twitter.com/5yzbPbWfOQ
The fixture brings together two clubs who have experienced contrasting starts in terms of defensive control and attacking output. Everton have built their early success on a tight backline, as no team has conceded fewer goals. By contrast, Chelsea arrive after an emphatic 5-1 victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, though their defensive frailties have left them without a clean sheet in 22 league matches. The visitors have scored 15 goals from an expected-goals total of 8.4, beating that measure by 6.6, with a conversion rate of 18.3% that ranks second only to Manchester City.
Everton Team News and Expected Lineup Adjustments
David Moyes faces critical fitness decisions regarding his defensive unit. Vitalii Mykolenko has a 50/50 chance of returning after recovering from a minor leg muscle injury received while on international duty, an issue that caused him to miss the trip to Hull City.
In attack, Tyrique George pushes for a start against his former club, offering Moyes an alternative to Brennan Johnson on the right flank. Johnson has started the last four Premier League games on the right, but frustration has built after involvement in two disallowed goals for offside.
Everton’s predicted starting formation features Jordan Pickford in goal, supported by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane or Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitalii Mykolenko across the back. In midfield, James Garner and Armstrong line up alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, while Jack Grealish and Brennan Johnson or Tyrique George operate in support of Thierno Barry.
Chelsea Squad Shape and Alonso Tactical Approach
Reece James is unavailable after surgery, while Jamie Gittens is also unavailable and Emmanuel Emegha is not expected to feature.
They are going to be a very important part to build around them, to build the team with them.
Xabi Alonso
Historical Head-to-Head and Betting Context
Everton hold a strong recent record on Merseyside against Saturday’s visitors, highlighted by a 3-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season when Beto scored twice and Iliman Ndiaye added a goal. Chelsea have managed just one win in their last nine league visits to Everton, though bookmakers list the London side as 11/10 favorites on bet365, with the Toffees priced at 23/10 or 11/5 depending on the market and the draw available at 14/5 or 11/4.
Opta pre-match simulations indicate a tight contest, giving Everton a 42.9% probability of victory compared to 30.4% for Chelsea.
Additional betting insights from bookmakers suggest options such as both teams to score combined with both teams to receive a card at 1/1 on bet365, while Morgan Rogers is listed at 5/6 for 2+ shots and 1 shot on target, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is priced at 5/4 for 1+ shot on target.
The fixture marks the beginning of a busy period for Everton’s small squad, with upcoming commitments across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and European competition testing squad depth as November approaches.
Chelsea arrive in sixth place in the Premier League table, directly behind fifth-placed Everton, having collected 10 points from their first six fixtures.