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Chelsea team news vs Everton: Predicted line up – Striker dilemma as Sarri rotates squad
MAURIZIO SARRI has a number of key selection decisions to make when Chelsea face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday (4.30pm).
Chelsea are expected to make several changes to their starting XI when the Blues take on Everton this weekend.
Sarri’s men return to action on the back of a thumping win over Dynamo Kiev in midweek which secured their Europa League quarter-final spot.
Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 victory and will hope he has done enough to earn just his seventh Premier League start of the season against the Toffees.
Gonzalo Higuain missed the trip to Ukraine due to illness and is expected to be in contention this weekend, although Sarri may stick with the in-form Giroud up front.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard is one of several first-team stars who should come back into the starting XI as Chelsea continue their pursuit of a top-four finish.
The Belgian started on the bench against Dynamo and should get the nod this weekend, as will Jorginho, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Andreas Christensen and Davide Zappacosta are most likely to drop to the bench in their place.
Willian and Mateo Kovacic started in midweek and could also drop out at the expense of Pedro and Ross Barkley if Sarri opts to freshen up his side.
Victory over Everton would move Chelsea level on points with Arsenal in fourth as the Gunners are without a match this weekend due to FA Cup fixtures.
Manchester United face Wolves in the quarter-finals so the Blues have an excellent opportunity to put the pressure on their immediate rivals.
However, the past two league meetings between Everton and Chelsea have ended in 0-0 draws so something special will be needed to break the deadlock.
The Blues have lost three of their past four away matches in the Premier League but are still four points better off than under Antonio Conte at this stage last season.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Everton – Premier League
(4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Palmieri; Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Pedro, Hazard, Giroud