Chelsea have endured a period of stuttering form in the Premier League but are hot favourites to overcome Everton when the sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

The visitors come into the match off the back of a dreadful run of away form, while a 2-1 win over Arsenal a week past on Monday was one of the few crumbs of comfort they can have taken from recent weeks.

Chelsea, meanwhile, overcame Leeds at the weekend, scraping to a 3-2 victory last Saturday thanks in large part to a couple of penalties from Jorginho, including one very late in the game.

The Blues do approach this match in a depleted state, with Ben Chilwell and Mateo Kovacic notably sidelined, but otherwise the injury news has been positive for manager Thomas Tuchel.

Trevoh Chalobah is back in training along with N’Golo Kante, although it is unclear as to whether the midweek match might come too soon for them with the hectic Christmas period about to get into full sway.

Kante’s readiness may determine whether Jorginho stars again. The European champion has been playing through pain in recent weeks but Chelsea’s lack of alternatives has compelled him to feature more than he might have wished.

The other big question hangs over Romelu Lukaku in attack. The forward’s return from injury has been carefully managed but it may be that he features from the outset against his former club.

Other rotation could take place, too. Chelsea have a talented and deep squad, with the likes of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech seeking to feature after being benched at the weekend and not getting a single minute of action.

Mason Mount, meanwhile, has scored in his last three Premier League matches and will be tough to drop.

Possible Chelsea starting XI vs. Everton