Everton have won five of our last six meetings at Goodison Park, with the Blues managing just two goals across the last seven matches at the famous old ground.

And it isn't just Chelsea who find it tough going on Merseyside. After losing their opening two home Premier League games this season to Brighton and Bournemouth, Everton are unbeaten at Goodison Park in five matches, drawing with Newcastle, Fulham and Brentford, while beating Crystal Palace and Wolves.

The Toffees, who are currently 16th in the table, are particularly difficult to break down. They have had three goalless draws in their last five Premier League matches and Sean Dyche's clean sheet record at Goodison Park (45.7 per cent) is the highest of any permanent Everton manager in the Premier League era apart from Joe Royle (45.8 per cent).

But Chelsea have some impressive stats of their own. From the start of May, Chelsea have scored more goals (51), won more games (15) and earned more points (49) in the Premier League than any other side and their record is equally impressive on the road.

We have won more away games (six), picked up more away points (19) and scored more away goals (23) than any other side in the Premier League this season.

If we can make it nine wins in a row in all competitions, it will be the first time we have done so since recording ten on the bounce between October and December in 2016.

Chelsea won the last game between the sides 6-0 in May but our disappointing recent record at Goodison Park was highlighted to head coach Enzo Maresca during his pre-match interview.

‘Chelsea have lost games there? Okay. It is something I didn’t know to be honest,' came the reply.

'It’s the same thing I was asked after Brentford, that the last three years they beat us [at Stamford Bridge]. Hopefully, we can go there and beat them.

'It will be a tough game for sure but we will try to prepare the game in the best way we can and the target is always to win the game.

'Everton’s stadium is not only tough for Chelsea, it’s tough for any club. So we are going to see.’

This will be our last trip to Goodison Park unless we draw Everton in an FA Cup match, with the Toffees set to move into a newly-constructed home at Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Everton versus Chelsea will see the Premier League's oldest average starting XI (29 years, 37 days) take on the youngest in Chelsea (23 years, 248 days).

If the Blues are to be victorious, they will have to be wary of the host's set-piece threat. Eight of Everton’s 14 Premier League goals this season have been scored via set pieces (57 per cent), the highest percentage by a team in a season since West Brom in 2014/15 (61 per cent).

The Blues head to Merseyside in great form though, having lost just three of our past 31 Premier League matches (Arsenal away, Man City home and Liverpool away), winning 19 and drawing nine in the process.

It is form which sees us second in the table, just two points below league-leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand already and will also be kicking off against Spurs two-and-a-half hours later than us, meaning the Blues have the chance to go top of the table, although it might only be for a few hours.

Maresca was asked if the pressure changes should Chelsea go top. ‘I don’t think so,' came the reply.

'We try to focus on the game, not the consequences of the game. Since we started together, I have tried to convince the players to be focused on the game, the game plan and how we can do the right things. No more than that.

'So I don’t think there is pressure because of the consequence of the win – and firstly you have to win the game.’