Enzo Maresca: Chelsea Aims for Crucial Win Over Everton

Chelsea hosts Everton in a crucial Premier League match, seeking to bolster their Champions League hopes. Coach Enzo Maresca eyes more goals from winger Pedro Neto.

Chelsea is set to face a crucial match against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 12:30 WAT. This game is vital for Chelsea's quest to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League and return to the Champions League next season. Currently, Chelsea sits in sixth place, having managed only two wins in their last five league games, and they need a strong performance to stay on track.

An early kick-off at the Bridge! ✊🔜 pic.twitter.com/chAaNz6OIj

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 23, 2025

With five games remaining, Chelsea's inconsistency has put pressure on Enzo Maresca's team. Everton, on the other hand, is struggling to avoid relegation and hasn't won at Stamford Bridge in 29 visits. According to predictions, Chelsea has a 75.45% chance of winning, while Everton has a 9.52% chance. The most likely scoreline for a Chelsea win is 2-0, with a probability of 11.1%.

Chelsea aims to strengthen its top-five claim in the Premier League, with all eyes on their performance after rivals Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa play in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend. However, dropped points against teams like in-form Everton have put Chelsea's Champions League qualification at risk for a third successive season.

“We are going to try to finish in the right way,” Chelsea's coach told reporters. “To say that this season has already been a good season compared to the last two, it does not mean we won't try to finish top five... Our target is Champions League. The players are working hard every day to bring this club where it has to be.”

🚨 Enzo Maresca on Chelsea eventually not going to UCL: “Compared to the last two years, it is not a failure”.

“How many times in the last two years have Chelsea been in UCL? How many? Zero. How many times been in UCL spot in the table this season? Almost all season”.

“Is it an… pic.twitter.com/XyE6QziJAD

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2025

Chelsea's right-back Malo Gusto will miss the match against Everton due to an injury. According to coach Enzo Maresca, Gusto is already running and training outside, but it appears the injury isn't serious enough for him to be available for the upcoming game.

Enzo Maresca snaps at a reporter and questions him for asking if not finishing top five would be seen as a failure. #CFC pic.twitter.com/wckbDLZ2Dr

— MarescaMedia (@MarescaMedia) April 25, 2025

Meanwhile, Maresca praised Pedro Neto's impact since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers, highlighting his crucial stoppage-time goal against Fulham last week. “I think Pedro helps us a lot,” Maresca said. Neto has scored four league goals this season, but Maresca believes there's more to come. “Our wingers, for me, they have to score around 10 goals at the end of the season. Pedro is doing well but there is no doubt he can do better.”

Zola 🆚 Everton, 22 years ago! ⏮️ pic.twitter.com/bwHa48B952

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 25, 2025

Chelsea currently sits with 57 points from 33 games, level with seventh-placed Aston Villa, who have played one more match, and two points behind Newcastle United. Forest has 60 points, while third-placed Manchester City has 61.

“We have been up there most of the season,” Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella said, acknowledging the team's inconsistent recent form. “It is true that we were coming from a somewhat inconsistent streak, but it depends on us.”