Chelsea vs. Everton | Match Preview | WSL Week 14
In this in-depth preview, we break down the key stats, tactical trends, and data-driven insights to reveal how Chelsea and Everton match up in this week's WSL showdown.
📅 Date: Sunday, 16 February 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 2:00 PM (UK)
📍 Venue: Kingsmeadow Stadium
🔍 Match Context & Overview
Chelsea sit comfortably atop the WSL, boasting both the league’s best attack and defense. Unbeaten in their 13 matches so far, the Blues aim to extend their incredible run and cement their position as title favourites.
Everton, currently 8th, have struggled for consistency—especially away from home. With no wins and just two goals scored in six away fixtures, they face a daunting challenge at Kingsmeadow.
📊 Current Form & League Standings
🔵 Chelsea
League Position: 1st (37 points from 13 matches)
Form (Last 5 WSL Games): WDWWW
Season Goals: ⚽ 38 scored | 🛑 6 conceded
Home Record: 6W – 0D – 0L (14 goals scored, 4 conceded)
Notable Trend: Unbeaten this season, combining lethal offense (2.69 goals per match) with the league’s best defense (0.46 conceded per match).
🔵 Everton
League Position: 8th (13 points from 13 matches)
Form (Last 5 WSL Games): LWDLW
Season Goals: ⚽ 10 scored | 🛑 20 conceded
Away Record: 0W – 2D – 4L (2 goals scored, 10 conceded)
Notable Trend: Struggling away from home, having scored just 2 goals in 6 away matches.
🏆 Head-to-Head Record
Recent Meetings (Last 5):
Nov 2024: Everton 0–5 Chelsea (xG: 0.3 – 3.6)
Feb 2024: Chelsea 3–0 Everton (xG: 3.5 – 0.3)
Nov 2023: Everton 0–3 Chelsea (xG: 0.5 – 0.7)
May 2023: Chelsea 7–0 Everton (xG: 2.5 – 0.4)
Oct 2022: Everton 1–3 Chelsea (xG: 0.7 – 2.3)
🔹 Key Stats:
✅ Chelsea have won 12 of the last 13 meetings.
🚫 Everton have been shut out in 8 of the last 10 encounters.
📊 Chelsea’s average margin of victory in recent fixtures is around three goals.
🌟 Key Players to Watch
🔵 Chelsea
Guro Reiten (Midfielder)
Stats: 7 goals (4.9 xG), 2.3 key passes per match
Role: Primary creative outlet from wide areas. Exceptional at linking play and arriving in the box.
Mayra Ramírez (Striker)
Stats: 3 goals, 2 assists, strong movement in the box
Role: Target in attacking phases. Creates space for others and finishes well inside the area.
Sjoeke Nüsken (Midfielder)
Stats: 2 goals, 2 assists, 29 shots (19 in the last 5 WSL matches), Great defensive awareness
Role: Links defense to attack, helps Chelsea dominate midfield battles.
🔵 Everton
Kelly Gago (Forward)
Stats: 2 WSL goals in 3 appearances since joining in January 2025.
Role: A clinical finisher, Gago has made an immediate impact as Everton's leading goal scorer in recent matches.
Honoka Hayashi (Midfielder)
Stats: 3 goals in the Women's Super League this season.
Role: An attacking midfielder, Hayashi contributes significantly to Everton's offensive play, both in goal scoring and chance creation.
Toni Payne (Midfielder)
Stats: 2 assists, strong playmaking presence.
Role: A key creative force for Everton, Payne excels at linking midfield to attack and exploiting spaces in transition.
📊 Statistical Comparison
Possession: Chelsea 57.0% | Everton 45.6%
Passing Accuracy: Chelsea 81.5% | Everton 76.8%
Expected Goals (xG): Chelsea 28.7 | Everton 13.5
Goals per Match: Chelsea 2.69 | Everton 0.77
Goals Conceded per Match: Chelsea 0.46 | Everton 1.54
Shots on Target per Match: Chelsea 6.85 | Everton 2.62
Takeaways:
Chelsea’s xG (28.7) dwarfs Everton’s 13.5, underscoring the hosts’ superior chance creation.
Everton concede three times as many goals as Chelsea per match (1.54 vs. 0.46).
The gulf in attacking potency and defensive solidity points to a lopsided matchup on paper.
⚔️ Tactical Breakdown
🔵 Chelsea’s Approach
Likely Formation: 4-2-3-1 or fluid 4-3-3
Style: High possession (~57%) | Quick transitions | Aggressive pressing to win the ball back early
Key Strengths:
Wide overloads, creative overlaps
Squad depth to maintain intensity
⚠️ Possible Weakness: Overcommitting forward, leaving space behind (though rarely punished in the WSL).
🔵 Everton’s Approach
Likely Formation: 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1
Style: Compact mid-to-low block, relying on direct counters | Looking to stifle Chelsea’s wide play and press efficiently
Key Strengths:
Set-piece threat
Physical duels in midfield
🚨 Major Weakness: Lack of creativity and finishing away from home (just 2 goals in 6 away matches).
🔮 Score Prediction & Final Thoughts
Predicted Scoreline: Chelsea 3–0 Everton
Why?
✅ Chelsea’s lethal attack and rock-solid defense (38 goals scored, 6 conceded).
🚶 Everton’s dire away record (0 wins, 2 goals in 6 outings).
🔵 Chelsea have dominated this fixture historically and should control possession, create high-quality chances, and extend their unbeaten run.
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