Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is expecting Chelsea to record a narrow victory when they face Everton on Saturday evening.

While he is not convinced by the Blues’ ability to score goals, Merson feels that they will have just enough to get the three points in their opening league fixture:

“Everton will make it hard for them, and Tuchel will need to grind out a result here. Chelsea haven’t been great in pre-season, but I think they have a little too much for Everton this weekend.”

Merson has gone with a 2-1 scoreline, which seems to be a very fair prediction. The Blues lost 1-0 in the corresponding fixture at Goodison Park back in May but the home side don’t appear to be heading into the match in confident mood.

Manager Frank Lampard will be without his main striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is set for a month on the sidelines with a knee injury. They have also sold their best player in Richarlison to Tottenham.

Of course, things have not been perfect for Chelsea in preseason either, but they should have enough quality in the team to get them over the line in this game.