Everton v Chelsea: Branthwaite and Mykolenko start as hosts defend unbeaten run

Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko both start for Everton against Chelsea despite pre-match fitness doubts, giving the hosts two familiar defensive starters as they defend an eight-match unbeaten run. Fifth-placed Everton and sixth-placed Chelsea are level on 10 points after six Premier League games.

Branthwaite had faced a late check over a thigh problem, while Mykolenko was doubtful after a knock. Both had started four of Everton’s previous five matches, and both are included in David Moyes’s confirmed 4-2-3-1.

Jordan Pickford starts in goal behind Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Tarkowski, Branthwaite and Mykolenko. James Garner and Harrison Armstrong form the midfield pair, with Merlin Röhl, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish behind Thierno Barry.

Chelsea’s absences include Reece James, who has undergone knee surgery following an injury in training. Jordan Henderson and Moisés Caicedo start together in Xabi Alonso’s midfield after both featured in the 5-1 win over Bournemouth.

Caleb Wiley is out with an adductor injury, Emmanuel Emegha with a dead leg, Estêvão with a hamstring injury and Jamie Gittens with an ankle injury. Pep Chavarria is also unavailable, while Mykhailo Mudryk and Wesley Fofana are suspended.

Alonso names a 3-4-2-1, with Emiliano Martínez in goal and Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill across the back. Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato complete the midfield line alongside Henderson and Caicedo, while Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers support João Pedro.

The teams have reached the same points total by different routes. Everton have won two and drawn four of their opening six league matches, conceding no defeats. Chelsea have three wins, one draw and two losses. Everton’s goal difference of plus three puts them immediately above Chelsea, whose goal difference is plus two.

That leaves Everton in a Europa League league-phase place at this early stage of the season. Both clubs sit eight points behind Manchester City, who have taken 18 points from six matches, making this a meeting between neighbours in the table rather than sides separated by an established gap.

Everton’s latest result was a 2-2 draw at Hull City, following a 1-0 home win over Ipswich Town and a goalless draw away to Tottenham Hotspur. Their unbeaten sequence now stands at eight matches, and they have scored in each of their past nine home games.

Chelsea arrive after scoring five against Bournemouth, a response to their 3-0 away defeat at Brentford. Their other recent results include a 2-2 home draw with Hull, a 2-1 loss at Arsenal and a 4-3 home win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Palmer supplies a separate milestone to follow: he is one goal short of 50 league goals for Chelsea. He starts behind João Pedro as the visitors seek to build on their five-goal performance, against an Everton side still unbeaten in this league campaign.

Moyes’s pre-match comments underlined the uncertainty surrounding his defence. He said Mykolenko was “doing much better” and had “a chance for the game” after missing the Hull draw following an injury on international duty with Ukraine. Branthwaite had felt a problem early in that match but completed it; both now take their places in the starting defence.

The Week 7 fixture kicks off at Everton on Saturday 17 October at 12:30 BST, with the sides’ level points totals giving their first meeting of this league campaign an immediate bearing on the order of the top six.

Questions

Are Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko starting against Chelsea?

Yes. Both are named in Everton’s confirmed starting XI despite pre-match fitness doubts. Branthwaite had a thigh problem, while Mykolenko had been listed as doubtful with a knock.

Why is Reece James missing for Chelsea?

James is out with a knee injury and has undergone surgery after being injured in training.

What milestone is Cole Palmer approaching?

Palmer is one goal short of 50 league goals for Chelsea and starts against Everton.

When does Everton v Chelsea kick off?

The Premier League Week 7 fixture kicks off on Saturday 17 October at 12:30 BST.