Chelsea are considering a move for an overseas defender, with a reliable journalist suggesting that this could be a situation to keep a close eye on ahead of January.
Chelsea's current defenders
The Blues have seven centre-backs in the building as it stands in the form of Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah, but there’s a strong chance that the latter two could be set to leave next year.
Brazilian side Fluminense reportedly hold an interest in Silva and are ready to offer him a return to his homeland, whilst Chalobah has fallen significantly out of favour having made zero appearances so far this season, not only in the Premier League but also across all competitions (WhoScored – Chalobah statistics).
Therefore, Mauricio Pochettino may have to enter the market to find a suitable replacement should one or both of the pair depart and he has identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba as a potential candidate, despite him only recently signing a new long-term deal which doesn’t expire until 2028 (Bayer Leverkusen contracts).
Chelsea keen on deal for Edmond Tapsoba
Writing in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano claimed that Chelsea are eyeing a move for Edmond Tapsoba, while also sharing news on Chalobah and a possible replacement.
"I can say that Chelsea are also looking into a new centre-back signing for 2024. It’s because the decision of the club – which is now 100 percent confirmed – is to sell Trevoh Chalobah in the January transfer window.
"He would love to stay at Chelsea, he wants to play more, but there is no space for him and he doesn’t want to be stuck on the bench. Now he’s injured of course, but Chalobah’s future is elsewhere.
"Chelsea will look at the opportunities in the January transfer window, then it depends if they find the right player at the right price.
"One more player to watch is Edmond Tapsoba, he’s having a fantastic campaign with Bayer Leverkusen. He did extend his contract there in September, but there is a possibility for him to leave in 2024 with a big proposal."
Bayer Leverkusen defenderEdmond Tapsoba.
Standing at 6 foot 4, Tapsoba provides an excellent physical presence at the heart of Bayer Leverkusen’s backline which he’s proven by averaging 2.6 clearances and 2.1 aerial wins per game this season in the Bundesliga (WhoScored – Tapsoba statistics).
The Burkina Faso international, who is 24 years of age, is also extremely calm and composed in possession having recorded a 92.6% pass success rate, with his consistently solid displays having previously seen him dubbed a defensive “rock” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Champions League Participant
2022/23
Europa League Participant
2019/20, 2020/21 & 2021/22
Africa Cup Participant
2022
German Cup Runner-Up
2019/20 (Data via Transfermarkt)
Furthermore, Tapsoba is capable of making a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch having posted 26 contributions, 22 goals and four assists, since the start of his career (Transfermarkt – Tapsoba statistics), with his set-piece threat likely to be another attractive attribute to Pochettino.
Fifties from Dinesh Karthik and R Ashwin weren’t enough to prevent India A from slipping to a 43-run defeat
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2018Shahbaz Nadeem celebrates a wicket•AFPAn unbeaten 87 from Hanuma Vihari and three top-order wickets from Shahbaz Nadeem helped India B make a winning start to their Deodhar Trophy campaign, as they defended 261 to beat India A by 43 runs. Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, took the new ball and struck with successive balls in his second over to send back Prithvi Shaw and Karun Nair, both lbw.India A’s top order continued to flounder until R Ashwin joined Dinesh Karthik at 87 for 5. The Tamil Nadu pair added 123 to bring parity back to the contest: at one stage, India A needed 52 from 47 balls with five wickets in hand.But Mayank Markande broke the partnership, having Ashwin stumped for 54 (76b, 5×4), and Nadeem dismissed Karthik in the very next over, having him caught and bowled one short of a hundred. Karthik’s 114-ball innings contained 11 fours and a six.India A’s lower order then collapsed against the legspin of Markande, who finished with figures of 4 for 48. The last five wickets only added eight runs to India A’s total.Ashwin had a good match with the ball too, finishing with figures of 2 for 39 in nine overs as India B, who chose to bat first, limped to 261 for 8 after threatening to post a much bigger total. Forties from Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Iyer set up Vihari and Manoj Tiwary (52, 58b, 1×4, 2×6) to put on 99 for the fourth wicket. At one stage, India B were 194 for 3 with 12.4 overs remaining.The run-out dismissal of Tiwary, however, sparked a collapse. No one from No. 6 downwards got into double figures even as Vihari tried to keep the scoreboard moving at the other end. Following Tiwary’s dismissal, Vihari scored 39 off 30 balls to finish unbeaten on 87 (95b, 9×4). At the other end, India B’s lower order and extras combined to score only 28 off 45 balls. Even so, India B’s total of 261 for 8 proved more than adequate.
Spin is likely to play a key part of the one-day series and Moeen Ali settled into his work nicely with a three-wicket haul
Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Oct-2018
Moeen Ali had a good day with the ball•Getty Images
England haven’t had a full tour of Sri Lanka since 2012, and though for many in their squad the heat and humidity are a fresh experience, Moeen Ali has done it all before – twice.Moeen was part of England’s 2014 seven-ODI tour of the island of course – the tour in which it was England, not Sri Lanka, who had the captaincy crisis, and the poor one-day record, and the terrible run leading up to the following year’s World Cup. But even before then, Moeen had had a bite of the island’s conditions. Folks at the Moors Sports Club in central Colombo will tell you that in early 2012, Moeen played three three-day matches for the club. He had been pretty good for them too, racking up 335 runs at an average of 67, in addition taking the occasional wicket.Six years later, a much-improved Moeen is back in Colombo, and he knows he is one of England’s key players on tour. As a spin-bowling allrounder, he will be expected to make an impact with the ball as well. If Friday’s practice match is any evidence, he appears poised for a decent haul. Moeen claimed 3 for 42 with his offspin, before England sauntered to a 43-run Duckworth-Lewis victory.”It’s always nice to tour somewhere where you think you’re going to play a big role – it does give you that extra bit more,” he said. “It’s never a guarantee that you’re going to go well. I’ve had that experience as well, going to India and stuff. You’ve got to stay calm about it – can’t get too far ahead.”All three of his wickets were high-quality players. First he bowled opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who was in the Sri Lanka Test team last time the toured England. Two balls later, he dismissed the other opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who is the form batsman in Sri Lanka’s Test side at present. Then later, he took the wicket of Kusal Mendis, whom he will likely bowl at again in the Tests. Moeen’s bowling helped restrict the Board XI to 287 for 9.”It’s good for my own confidence to get a couple of wickets up front against two of their more international type of players,” Moeen said of his double-strike in the ninth over of the innings. “It was nice to get them in the Powerplay. These guys are used to these conditions, and they are good players in these conditions. It’s not going to be as easy as people think, but as a spinner you do have things in your favour, and that always helps.”I thought we bowled well as a team to keep them down – it was a very good wicket. It was nice to come out and break that partnership initially and then to get the other guy out. It was good for your confidence.”That Moeen did not get to bat in the first practice match was partly because Joe Root and Eoin Morgan simply did not get out. The two senior batsmen put on 174 for the third wicket to secure an important first victory of the tour, for England. Moeen said he especially enjoyed Morgan’s 91 not out off 84 balls.”He’s a fantastic player of spin, and I personally love the way he plays when he plays like this – with intent. It’s great to see some of the shots that he played today.”Moeen said there was intent through the whole England performance as well. As the top-ranked ODI side, they wanted to flex their muscles in the first outing on the island.”As the No. 1 side now, you don’t want to come here and start with a loss, especially to a side that’s not their main side. The philosophy that Trev and Morg have tried to emphasise is that we need to win these games quite comfortably. As a side you don’t want to stumble.”
Nottingham Forest are open to selling one of their out of favour players on a permanent basis next year, according to a reliable journalist.
Nottingham Forest player sales
The Reds sanctioned the permanent sales of Brennan Johnson, Sam Surridge, Braian Ojeda, Mohamed Drager, Jack Colback, Cafu, Jordan Smith, Giulian Biancone and Steve Cook over the summer, but there were also plenty of stars to leave temporarily.
The City Ground outfit sanctioned loans for 12 players, including the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Lewis O’Brien and Emmanuel Dennis, and another squad member who was sent out on the road for the remainder of the season was none other than Gustavo Scarpa.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder put pen to paper at Olympiacos until the end of the current campaign, but with no option or obligation to buy included in the agreement that was arranged by the two parties before the previous transfer deadline, he’s set to return to the Premier League and indeed the Midlands.
Steve Cooper’s 29-year-old still has just under another three years remaining on his deal after only joining the club at the start of this year from Palmeiras (Transfermarkt – Scarpa profile), but with the manager having no plans to utilise him in his long-term project, he looks set to depart for good in 2024.
Nottingham Forest happy to let go of Gustavo Scarpa
Taking to X, Bruno Andrade revealed that Nottingham Forest are open to selling Scarpa next year, and chiefs have already set their price range for any interested parties.
“Nottingham Forest asks for between 5 and 6 million euros [£4-5m] to release Gustavo Scarpa permanently – the value of the negotiation between clubs does not include, for example, the player's salary.”
Olympiacos' loan midfielderGustavo Scarpa.
Gustavo Scarpa's underwhelming impact
First of all, Scarpa currently pockets £61k-per-week on loan (Olympiacos salaries), which would make him the fourth-highest earner on the books at Nottingham Forest, so chiefs need to remove him from the wage bill as soon as possible considering that he’s failed to make an impact since putting pen to paper in January.
Divock Origi
£120k
Callum Hudson-Odoi
£80k
Felipe
£80k
Morgan Gibbs-White
£80k
Chris Wood
£80k
Ibrahim Sangare
£75k
Serge Aurier
£50k (Data via Capology)
The Campinas native has so far made ten appearances respectively for his parent and loan club yet has recorded zero goals and assists, so even when he is handed the opportunity to prove what he’s capable of, he hasn’t been able to showcase his talents to either manager.
Last season, Scarpa ranked as Cooper’s 27th overall best-performing player out of 33 squad members (WhoScored – Nottingham Forest statistics), so deciding to sanction his permanent sale would be completely the right decision because the extra cash could be put towards generating funds to bring in new signings, more importantly ones who would be an upgrade in Cooper's squad.
Erling Haaland has been dropped from the starting line-up for Manchester City's crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
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Haaland dropped for Villa match
De Bruyne also on bench
Norwegian hitman called 'League Two' player by Keane
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Norwegian was relegated to the bench for the match against Unai Emery's side, three days after his anonymous showing in the top-of-the-table showdown against Arsenal. Kevin De Bruyne was also named on the bench against Villa, who were the last team to beat the champions.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Haaland was humiliatingly described as a 'League Two' striker by Roy Keane after the 1-1 draw with the Gunners, prompting a fierce response from Pep Guardiola in Tuesday's press conference. The striker has failed to score in his last three matches for City and missed a gilt-edged chance against Arsenal.
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite all the criticism he has received, Haaland remains the top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals, two more than nearest challengers Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins. Villa striker Watkins has been ruled out of Wednesday's game at the Etihad Stadium with injury.
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WHAT NEXT FOR CITY?
Julian Alvarez starts in place of Haaland while Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are among four changes in the line-up. City will be looking to bounce back from the draw against Arsenal and keep in touch with the Gunners and Premier League leaders Liverpool before visiting Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Glasgow Rangers have been credited with an interest in bringing a new teenage forward to Ibrox, but a fresh report has revealed that he’s currently on trial with another one of his admirers.
What Rangers players are going out of contract?
The Light Blues will have seven of their squad members out of contract at the end of the season in the form of John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Jon McLaughlin and Leon Balogun, as well as Abdallah Sima who is only on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion (Rangers contracts).
Therefore, new manager Philippe Clement may soon have to make a decision over their futures, and it’s believed that Barisic has already been offered a new two-year deal, whilst Ross McCausland will also get the chance to commit his long-term future to the Scottish Premiership outfit.
The Ibrox side may, as a result, have room to make more fresh additions next year should a lot of those stars leave upon the expiration of their current terms, and one player that the boss has set his sights on is Sunderland striker Mason Cotcher, who is a regular feature of the club’s academy at the Stadium of Light.
However, England’s youth international is yet to make his senior debut under Tony Mowbray, so he knows that he might need to move elsewhere should he want to be given the opportunity to break into the first-team fold, with the 17-year-old emerging as a target for the hierarchy north of the border.
Mason Cotcher transfer update
According to The Sunderland Echo, offering a transfer update on Mason Cotcher, Rangers, Brighton and Arsenal are all set to compete to secure the services of the centre-forward, who recently played for the Gunners.
“Eyebrows were raised among Sunderland fans after the youngster featured for Arsenal's under-18s this week, suggesting firm interest from the Premier League outfit. Cotcher featured for Arsenal's youth side on Teesside against Middlesbrough last Saturday in the under-18s Premier League Cup competition.
"The Echo also understands that Scottish giants Rangers and Arsenal's Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion have also looked at the youngster ahead of a potential move. It remains to be seen if Arsenal, Rangers or Brighton will advance their interest in Cotcher.”
Glasgow Rangers' home stadium, Ibrox.
How many goals has Mason Cotcher scored?
Since the start of his career, Cotcher has posted ten involvements, nine goals and one assist, in 27 appearances which shows how prolific he can be in the final third (Transfermarkt – Cotcher stats), so should he put pen to paper in the near future, he could be a fantastic acquisition for Rangers.
In the northeast, Clement’s target is also a versatile operator having been deployed in four different positions over the grass since first bursting onto the professional scene, including everywhere across the frontline and even slightly deeper in the midfield, which will be yet another attractive attribute to chiefs.
Finally, Cotcher has started to make a name for himself on the international stage having made his first two appearances for England’s U17s at the beginning of this year, so he may well be a star in the making, and it could be a real coup if the club could beat their fellow competitors to his signature.
حقق منتخب الأرجنتين الأولمبي فوزًا ثمينًا على نظيره منتخب أوكرانيا، في مباراتهما مساء يوم الثلاثاء، في أولمبياد باريس 2024.
وتلاقى المنتخبان في لقاءات الجولة الثالثة من منافسات كرة القدم، في أولمبياد باريس 2024، حيث فازت الأرجنتين بقيادة خافيير ماسكيرانو، بهدفين دون رد. أهداف مباراة الأرجنتين وأوكرانيا
وانتهى الشوط الأول من مباراة الأرجنتين وأوكرانيا بالتعادل السلبي، بدون أهداف.
وتغير الأمر سريعًا مع بداية الشوط الثاني، وتحديدًا في الدقيقة 47، حيث جاء هدف الأرجنتين الأول عن طريق اللاعب نازارينو بازان.
ونجحت الأرجنتين في القضاء على آمال أوكرانيا بعدما سجل اللاعب كلاوديو إيتشيفيريا الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 90.
بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد منتخب الأرجنتين الأولمبي إلى 6 نقاط في وصافة المجموعة الثانية، في حين تجمد رصيد أوكرانيا عند 3 نقاط في المركز الثالث.
ويلتقي منتخب الأرجتين في ربع النهائي مع متصدر المجموعة الأولى، حيث تتصدرها حاليًا فرنسا بـ 6 نقاط قبل مباريات الجولة الثالثة.
South Africa will be without two of their most experienced players in their upcoming limited-overs series against Zimbabwe. Captain Faf du Plessis has been withdrawn from the ODI series to fully recover from a shoulder injury, while Hashim Amla has been ruled out by a torn finger tendon, picked up during the Caribbean Premier League.Dean Elgar, the Test opener, has been been called up to replace Amla in the one-day squad, for the three-match series starting in Kimberley on Sunday, while JP Duminy will lead the side in du Plessis’ absence.”Hashim sustained a tear to the tendon in his left fifth digit while fielding during the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League,” team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee explained. “The injury will need up to three weeks to heal, making him unavailable for the series against Zimbabwe.”Du Plessis is recovering from his second shoulder injury in less than a year. He had surgery on his right shoulder in late 2017, and missed the end of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in August this year, with a rotator-cuff tear in the same shoulder. The CSA medical team, as a result, decided to not rush his return, ahead of a busy summer and the 2019 World Cup.”The CSA medical committee has also withdrawn Faf from the ODI series,” Moosajee said. “He has not made a satisfactory recovery from his shoulder injury and has been given more time to make a complete recovery. We are hopeful he will be fit enough to return to lead the T20 side for the three-match series against Zimbabwe.”The absence of the two seniors will allow South Africa to test their bench strength against somewhat modest opposition, and also give an opportunity to Elgar to push his claims for a spot in South Africa’s top order ahead of the World Cup.Elgar, who has played just six ODIs for South Africa since his debut in 2012, with his last match coming against India in Mumbai almost three years ago, is known to be desperate for a one-day call-up ahead of next year’s World Cup, and would have been on the selectors’ radar after topping the batting averages for Surrey in the Royal London One-Day Cup this season, where he struck three fifties and averaged 57.25.”We have said that the Zimbabwe series is an opportunity to further explore our ODI options and the unfortunate injury to Hashim gives us an opportunity to see what Dean is capable of in the limited-overs format,” Linda Zondi, the CSA national selection panel convener, said. “He has always been on our radar having put in consistent performances both in South Africa and the UK, and brings a wealth of valuable experience to the batting group in Hashim and Faf’s absence.”Keshav Maharaj has also been released from the ODI squad and will play for the Dolphins in their first round four-day competition fixture against the Titans, starting at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.
Kate Abdo's boyfriend, Malik Scott, has no issues with jokes made about Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's apparent 'crush' on the presenter.
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Scott has no issue with jokesMany digs about Henry 'crush' on presenterTrainer hopes to marry AbdoWHAT HAPPENED?
Scott, who is the trainer of heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder, has insisted that he sees the humour in the jokes and is comfortable with the show. Abdo and Scott's relationship has been mentioned on CBS's Champions League coverage on numerous occassions and Jamie Carragher even landed himself in hot-water after a poorly made 'joke'.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SCOTT SAID
On the jokes about Henry, Scott told : "All of that stuff is all good, man. I've never been a man who has been insecure in a relationship. I don't know how to go about jealousy and things of that nature.
"I enjoy the show, the relationships, the love, and whatever makes the chemistry pop for the show, as long as Kate is not disrespected or irritated.
“I don't have insecurities or jealousy when someone I'm seeing is working around other men, as long as she's being respectful and she's being respected, I'm totally fine with it.
"It's a very special show and it has a very special girl on there and she's about to be Mrs. Scott soon.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
CBS's coverage of the Champions League has been lauded for its insight, humour and entertainment and will return again this week ahead of the quarter-finals. Abdo hosts the show and is joined by Henry, Carragher and Micah Richards.
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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR SCOTT?
As Scott said, he hopes that him and Abdo will be married soon. The boxing trainer will no doubt be tuning in to watch his beloved presenting again next week as Real Madrid take on Manchester City and Arsenal face Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Everton has been far more impressive this year than their last two Premier League campaigns.
In their 12 games so far, they have picked up four wins, two draws, six defeats and 14 points; well, they were on 14 points until the league deducted ten for breaches of the profit and sustainability rules.
This ruling has seen the club drop to 19th place, and their 14 points turn to four, meaning they are now level with Burnley in 20th place and one behind Sheffield United in 18th.
While this undoubtedly makes Sean Dyche's job of keeping the team in the top flight that much harder, the Toffees have looked genuinely great at points this season, and there is a general belief that they will still survive even with the deducted points.
In fact, the team are on a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, claiming all three points from a highly entertaining clash with Crystal Palace before the international break.
With that in mind, here is a look ahead to Everton's next six fixtures as Football FanCast predicts how far the Toffees can continue their rare unbeaten run.
Everton fixtures
25th November
Manchester United
Premier League
H
2nd December
Nottingham Forest
Premier League
A
7th December
Newcastle United
Premier League
H
10th December
Chelsea
Premier League
H
16th December
Burnley
Premier League
A
19th December
Fulham
EFL Cup
H
Everton vs Manchester United
26th November, Premier League, Goodison Park
Manchester United manager EriktenHag on the touchline
Everton's first game back from the international break is a real doozy: Manchester United at Goodison Park.
Now, had this been last season, predicting the outcome would be relatively easy – a comfortable win for United. However, with how both sides have started their league campaigns this year, we aren't so sure it's as clear-cut as it was.
United are currently sitting in sixth place, having won seven games from 12 and losing the other five. Their last three games have seen them beat Fulham and Luton Town 1-0, but lose to FC Copenhagen 4-3 in the Champions League.
Still, United have made their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 34 years, so a game away to Everton looks a lot more daunting than usual.
The crowd is sure to play a factor in this one as well, as this is the first game Everton will play after their points deduction, so the atmosphere might well be incredibly hostile.
It might not be a particularly high-quality game, but it should be a tense one, and we reckon a backs against the walll Everton might just come out on top.
Following their home tie against Manchester United, Sean Dyche's Toffees will be back on the road and travelling down to the City Ground to take on Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest.
Everton might have more Premier League pedigree on their side, but with how the two sides have started their league campaigns this year, it would be hard to deny that the Tricky Trees will be firm favourites heading into this one.
Cooper's men find themselves in 14th place, with three wins, four draws and five defeats to their name. However, those figures don't tell the whole story.
In a few of their games against the big sides like Arsenal, United and Manchester City, Forest have performed excellently and probably deserved to come away with at least a point in each encounter.
Everton, on the other hand, have been quite inconsistent overall, and so we can't really see anything other than a home win in this encounter.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Everton
Everton vs Newcastle United
7th December, Premier League, Goodison Park
Amadou Onana battles for the ball alongside Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff for Everton in the Premier League.
Just three days after their trip to the City Ground to face off against Nottingham Forest, Everton will be back in action, only this time, they will be playing host to one of the best teams in the league, Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.
As things stand, the Toon are sitting in seventh place, with six wins, two draws and four losses from their opening 12 Premier League games. What's more worrying for the Toffees, though, is Newcastle's goal-scoring record this season, as they have already scored 27 goals, which is more than any other side and 16 more than Everton.
For their part, Everton are down in 16th, with just four wins to their name and a goal difference of minus five. However, it's not all doom and gloom for the Toffees, as with the game taking place at Goodison Park, they will be able to count on an extremely partisan crowd to give them the boost they will need – especially after last week's points deduction.
However, history is certainly not on their side, as in the last five encounters between the two sides, Everton have won just a single game to Newcastle's four – including last season's 4-1 mauling.
Ultimately, for as up for the game as Goodison is likely to be, we reckon Newcastle will have too much about them and cruise to a reasonably comfortable victory.
Prediction: Everton 1-3 Newcastle United
Everton vs Chelsea
10th December, Premier League, Goodison Park
The start of the winter congestion doesn't get any easier for Sean Dyche's Toffees as they face a visit from traditional domestic giants Chelsea straight after a date with the Magpies in December.
Chelsea have struggled at the start of the season. However, they have looked much better in recent weeks, drawing at home to Arsenal before beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 and then drawing 4-4 with Manchester City before the international break.
With the players they have at their disposal, alongside their seemingly bottomless pockets designed closer to that of warchests, the credence is that Chelsea will come good at some point.
But at a partisan Goodison Park, they are handed a poisoned chalice.
Under pressure is the scenario that Everton have proven to be most fruitful, and this – paired with their positive run of losing just three times in the two sides' previous nine meetings – will put the Toffees in good stead for picking up valuable points over the early Christmas festivities.
Particularly since Sean Dyche may be handed the prerequisite to get back to winning ways after a tricky run against stern opposition, a visit from Chelsea might prove to be the perfect remedy.
Prediction: Everton 1-0 Chelsea
Burnley vs Everton
16th December, Premier League, Turf Moor
Everton manager Sean Dyche.
Talking about perfect remedies. Sean Dyche will no doubt feel confident that, if he can't get a result against Chelsea or Newcastle, then his old team Burnley will present the Toffees with charitable points on the road.
Vincent Kompany's Clarets haven't lived up to the potential they exercised in the Championship last season, and it remains to be seen how long the Pep Guardiola apprentice will last should their dismal record continue to slump in the Premier League.
Currently, they sit in 20th, having only picked up four points from 12 Premier League games. Additionally, while they rank as the lowest side in the league for points, their goal difference also sits in this worrying position, with only Sheffield United on minus 21.
Everton will pinpoint this December match-up as the pick of the bunch as a must win, especially if they are still in the relegation zone when the game comes around.
In the busy winter congestion, every point matters, but a trip to Turf Moor, as things stand, will always demand three points.
Prediction: Burnley 0-2 Everton
Everton vs Fulham
19th December, EFL Cup, Goodison Park
everton-neal-maupay-premier-league-fulham
Three days after their must-win game against Burnley, Everton have the chance to give their fans an early Christmas present by booking a place in the EFL Cup semi-final with a win over Fulham at Goodison Park.
The talk around the Toffees will still likely be dominated by the points deduction, and fair enough, but the Merseysiders have the chance to change the narrative somewhat should they beat the Cottagers.
To get to the quarter-final, Fulham had to beat Ipswich Town, Norwich City, and Tottenham Hotspur, whereas Everton beat Burnley, Aston Villa, and Doncaster Rovers.
In terms of the league, the West Londoners currently sit in 15th, while Everton are down in 19th, but the Toffees have actually won more games, with four to Fulham's three.
Ultimately, it will be a challenging game for both sides, but under the lights at Goodison Park with a highly partisan crowd, we reckon Dyche will be leading his men out in a semi-final in the new year.