Andre Villas-Boas
Chelsea's manager Villas-Boas gestures during their English Premier League match against Sunderland in Sunderland England. REUTERS

Chelsea will be hoping to continue their excellent home record when they entertain Everton in Saturday's late kick-off.

The Blues have won their last three home games, hitting nine goals in their last two outings and Andre Villas-Boas will be eager to keep pace with their Manchester rivals.

The home side are firm favourites against an Everton team looking to avoid a third successive defeat but David Moyes will draw some comfort from their recent record against Chelsea.

The west London side have won just one of the last nine league meetings between the two sides, with five consecutive draws played out at the Bridge.

However, Everton have failed to win in 16 trips to west London and the Merseyside club could struggle with a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game.

Tim Cahill faces a late fitness test on the ankle injury that forced him to miss Australia's mid-week game against Oman, while John Heitinga is a major doubt with a knee complaint.

Chelsea could rest David Luiz after the defender returned Thursday following two 90 minute matches for Brazil.

Fernando Torres misses out as he serves the second of a three game ban, while Michael Essien is a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 Everton 0

Chelsea probable XI: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.

Everton probable XI: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman, Cahill, Saha.