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5 Key Matchups For Chelsea vs. Everton In EPL Week 25

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5 Key Matchups For Chelsea vs. Everton

Jose Mourinho and Roberto Martinez watching Everton vs Chelsea
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Chelsea have an opportunity to put some decisive daylight between themselves and Manchester City as the reigning champions continue to struggle to find their best form. Jose Mourinho's team welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge in Week 25, with the Toffees hoping to secure a win at the expense of Chelsea's title plans. Both teams need the win but for very different reasons, and here are five key matchups to look for in the battle of the blues.

5. Didier Drogba vs. John Stones

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba
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5. Didier Drogba vs. John Stones

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba
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Two players at total opposite stages of their careers will be going head-to-head when Everton youngster John Stones tackles Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. At this stage, Drogba is not the player he once was, but Stones is not yet the player he will ultimately become. This will make for an important and interesting battle in the game. Drogba lacks the speed and movement he once had, but his physicality will still be a big test for Stones.

4. Leighton Baines vs. Willian

Everton left-back Leighton Baines
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4. Leighton Baines vs. Willian

Everton left-back Leighton Baines
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With Leighton Baines being one of Everton's greatest attacking threats, Willian will be crucial for Chelsea in doing his utmost to limit the impact of the left-back, as well as also making the England international work tirelessly in defense himself. Baines is an injury doubt according to Roberto Martinez, but he should be ready in time to play.

3. Romelu Lukaku vs. John Terry

Romelu Lukaku playing for Everton
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3. Romelu Lukaku vs. John Terry

Romelu Lukaku playing for Everton
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Romelu Lukaku and John Terry will have had countless battles in training over the past few years, and they will now have another one in this game. Terry relishes the physical battle that players like Lukaku bring, but the Chelsea captain will be cautious of leaving too much space for the speedy Belgian to run into and exploit the lack of pace in the legs of the now 34-year-old.

2. Cesc Fabregas vs. Muhamed Besic

Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas
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2. Cesc Fabregas vs. Muhamed Besic

Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas
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Muhamed Besic is establishing himself as a midfield enforcer for the Toffees, and he will need all of his tough tackling if he is to keep Cesc Fabregas quiet. The Spaniard has had an outstanding season so far, and he is the hub of the Chelsea team when he is on the field. Fabregas' fitness is still to be 100 percent confirmed, however, and that may well be Besic's only chance of stopping the playmaker.

1. Eden Hazard vs. Seamus Coleman

Seamus Coleman tackles Eden Hazard
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1. Eden Hazard vs. Seamus Coleman

Seamus Coleman tackles Eden Hazard
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Seamus Coleman has established himself as one of the EPL's best right-backs in recent seasons, and the battle with Eden Hazard will be one he will relish. Hazard is an integral player for Chelsea, and Coleman is one of the few right-backs in the the league who can do a respectable job defensively against the Belgian, as well as also testing the attacker's willingness to work defensively throughout the game.

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