The teams are coming out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off nearly upon us.

Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports

Cole Palmer's form is 100% a mental thing. As soon as he came to Chelsea it went well, he was playing off the cuff and it was coming off.

Things unfortunately get in your head in runs like this but he needs to stay positive because it will come to an end.

He is potentially trying too hard at the minute.

Stephen Warnock
Former Aston Villa and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

We all thought that Chelsea were in a title race [earlier in the season] because the way that they were playing was exciting, the players were in good form and Enzo Maresca had found a system that suited them.

The downside of it was that it is a young, inexperienced team so there was always going to be an element of naivety about them, and we have seen that at times.

The league table at the time told us that they were in the title race. They were a work in progress and we thought they could only get better, but they have gone the other way.

Everton have lost just one of their six Premier League away games since David Moyes’ return (W3 D2). This season meanwhile, they’ve lost just one of their five league games in London, going unbeaten in four since a 4-0 loss at Spurs in August (W1 D3).

However, Moyes has won just one of his 76 Premier League away games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd (D21 L54), a 2-0 win at Arsenal with West Ham in December 2023.

After today, Chelsea's final four Premier League games are against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

Karen Carney
Former Chelsea and England midfielder on TNT Sports

Chelsea are playing the teams in and around them in the run in, so it [a Champions League place] is in their hands.

It is on the group, they have the chance to do it, but I do favour the sides just above them.

Peter Crouch
Former Tottenham striker on TNT Sports

You get the sense there is a frustration around the crowd at Chelsea. They are used to success and if they don't get it they change their manager.

The new ownership see Enzo Maresca as the man and they are trying to build something.

I thought he managed the squad situation really well at the start of the season and he started getting results. For a while everything was rosy and now they are in a bit of a sticky situation, but the fans need to stick with them.

If they win a trophy and finish in the Champions League places that is success.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca speaking to TNT Sports: "I will be watching the game from the sides, in the stand behind the bench and Willy Caballero is there. The players on the pitch know they might have to take some extra responsibility also but I feel good.

"We have five games to go and we are trying to win them all. We are in a position that we need to win games and hopefully we can start today.

"Romeo is back, training with us for a quite a few days, a week or so. He needs to start games to get fitness. The decision is just about the game plan. Reece is on the bench and ready to go when we need him.

"All of the attacking players when they don't score they are a bit worried but I have a feeling today that it could be a good day for Cole. Hopefully I'm not wrong.

"We need to continue to work hard, on and off the ball, and continue to play since we have played since day one. Try to be aggressive, knowing it is a game in which you need to win duels and be careful on set pieces. If we do those things right we have a great chance to win."

Martinez: Funny how Maresca says Palmer’s struggles are "mental" when he’s the one playing him out of position. Maybe look at your tactics first, Maresca!

It is a big game for Everton's Jake O'Brien, who has been deployed as a right-back under David Moyes but moves into the centre alongside Jarrad Branthwaite with James Tarkowski out for the season.

The Republic of Ireland international joined Everton for £16.4m from Lyon last summer.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton

Everton manager David Moyes speaking to TNT Sports: "I don't think we were ever going to be judged on the run of games we are in just now. It was about trying to get our work done early and making sure we weren't going to be a relegated side. The players have done that which is great. This is going to be another big test for us, we have had the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City recently and today we have Chelsea. We're looking forward to it.

"We have had a brilliant couple of months with the games, results and performances and we want to finish the season strongly. I don't think we need to do an awful lot more, we just need to keep going. We lack quality in some areas but we don't lack heart nor commitment."

On playing Jake O'Brien centre-back: "Everyone has been talking about it. We had been hoping to give Jake an opportunity to play at centre half, that is what he is. He has done a brilliant job at right back for us so today we have moved him inside one. Let's hope he can fill Tarky's boots."

On Beto in for Broja: "Since we came into the club he has been excellent for us. Scored some goals and worked really hard for the team. We couldn't play Broja anyway today but Beto deserves to play."

Chelsea

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella speaking to TNT Sports: "The morale is good. Today is a very important game for us. We had a good comeback last weekend so today we have a good opportunity to get another three points and be ready for the last games.

"The fans need to stay with us. We will have moments that we need to suffer but if we stay together we can do it. We have prepared well for the game and we know it is massive for us. We are going all out for everything."

A crumb of comfort for Cole Palmer - he scored four goals against Everton in the same meeting last season, including a 16-minute first-half hat-trick.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer's recent struggles on the pitch are "a mental thing", says boss Enzo Maresca.

The England international, 22, has not scored in 16 games - having netted 14 times in his first 23 games of the season.

But Palmer has had more shots than any other Premier League player during his goalless spell - 41 efforts.

"For sure it's a mental thing, it's not tactical or technical," said Maresca.

"Cole is still the player who scored 14 goals in 20 games. The style is the same, the manager is the same, the club is the same. Nothing has changed around Cole. It's just mentally in this moment."

Image source, Getty Images

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Everton striker Armando Broja has travelled with the squad but is ineligible to face his parent club due to Premier League rules.

The loanee has started the last two games under David Moyes but Beto has been drafted back in for this one out of necessity.

It will be interesting to see who the boyhood Chelsea fan will support - given he will be sat in Everton colours for this one.

Everton

Everton forward Illiman N'Diaye speaking to TNT Sports: "We are very motivated. We're very determined to finish the season stronger than we started. It starts today and it is very important to win.

"We are away from home [against Chelsea] this time. It is going to be more difficult than the home game. We want to try to get a little bit more control than the last game, it will be difficult but we want to try.

On their poor record at Stamford Bridge: "It gives us a boost, we want to end that and try to get the win today."

Image source, BBC Sport

Chelsea will move up to fourth with a win, though they will drop down to fifth if Newcastle beat Ipswich later today.

Nottingham Forest are in FA Cup action on Sunday so their next Premier League game is on Thursday against Brentford.

It is fair to say Stamford Bridge is not a happy ground for Everton:

• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 29 Premier League home games against Everton - their longest run without defeat against the same opponent in the club's league history.
• Everton last won a league game at Stamford Bridge in 1994 - Paul Rideout scoring the only goal.
• The Toffees' 6-0 defeat last season is their biggest margin of defeat in this fixture since also losing 6-0 at Stamford Bridge in 1948.
• David Moyes is winless on all 19 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge. He has only managed at Anfield more often without ever winning (20).

Image source, Getty Images

A few have messaged in about this. Don't worry, Chelsea have not secretly sacked Enzo Maresca.

It is showing as Willy Caballero because the Chelsea boss is serving a one-match touchline ban after picking up a third yellow card of the season against Fulham last weekend.

Maresca confirmed in his news conference that Caballero will be on the touchline in his absence.

Image source, Reuters