Two sides that would have been hoping for better starts to the season go head to head at Goodison Park this weekend as defending champions Chelsea travel to Everton.

Both sides have won just one of their first four matches of the 2015-16 campaign, meaning that just one point separates them ahead of this match.

Everton

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Roberto Martinez's side have picked up five points from their opening four games of the season, beating Southampton at St Mary's, drawing with Watford and Tottenham Hotspur, while their only defeat so far came against Manchester City.

Since their goalless draw at White Hart Lane before the international break, the transfer window has closed, ensuring that defender John Stones, who had been the subject of interest from this weekend's opponents, will remain at Goodison.

There were also a few new arrivals for the Toffees, as Aaron Lennon returned on deadline day on a permanent deal from Spurs, having spent the second half of last season with the club, while Ramiro Funes Mori and Leandro Rodriguez also come in.

The club's fans were not happy with chairman Bill Kenwright and his regime in the opening weeks of the season, displaying banners calling for a change in the club's board room. However, retaining Stones and bringing in new players late in the transfer window may quiet the unrest.

With matches against league leaders Man City and the reigning champions in their first five fixtures, Martinez has admitted that he was expecting a tricky start to the campaign, but with matches against Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal all coming up in October, the manager will be keen to get points on the board in their next few matches, with a trip to his old club Swansea City coming up next weekend.

Everton have kept clean sheets in half of their games so far this season, but have not been as prolific as some of their rivals in front of goal, failing to find the back of the net in their last two outings.

Recent form: WLDWLD
Recent form (all competitions): LDWLWD

Chelsea

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Jose Mourinho will be hoping that his side are refreshed from the international break after suffering their second defeat of the campaign last time out, losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace.

The result means that the title holders' 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion remains their only victory so far, with just four points coming from their opening four matches, leaving them 13th in the table after the first month.

The manager has been under increased scrutiny in the opening weeks of the campaign, not only because of his team's results, but through his handling of the situation involving first-team doctor Eva Carneiro, who was banished from the touchline after treating Eden Hazard against the manager's wishes in the opening game of the season.

Chelsea brought in two new players on transfer deadline day, but missed out on Everton's John Stones, with whom they had been heavily linked. The England international did submit a transfer request, but this weekend's hosts insisted that he was not leaving.

Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji completed a £2.7m move just a few hours before the window closed, while Michael Hector of Reading also completed a move to the club, although he instantly returned to the Royals on a season-long loan.

Only one side has conceded more goals than Chelsea so far this season, with Mourinho's team letting in nine goals in their opening four fixtures. Sunderland, who sit bottom in the table, have let it 10.

Recent form: LWDLWL
Recent form (all competitions): LLDLWL

Team News

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Aaron Lennon will make his second debut for Everton barring a last-minute training injury, with Martinez admitting that his only doubt is regarding how long to give the winger in his first match since rejoining the club.

Ramiro Funes Mori is also expected to be involved, with Bryan Oviedo a doubt after picking up a knee injury before the international break, while Tim Howard will need a late fitness test after returning from international duty later than some of his teammates.

Tom Cleverley will not be involved though, having sustained an ankle ligament injury during a match for England over the international period, ruling him out for around six weeks, while Leighton Baines is still recovering from ankle surgery.

For the visitors, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is a doubt for the match after injuring his ankle in training with the London side on Wednesday. If he cannot play, summer signing Asmir Begovic will step in.

Oscar has not played since the opening week of the season after sustaining a knock in the game against Swansea City, but is expected to be ready to return in this fixture, while John Terry is available again after serving a suspension last time out.

Everton possible starting lineup:
Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Funes Mori, McCarthy, Barry, Lennon, Barkley, Kone, Lukaku

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Begovic, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Pedro, Hazard, Oscar, Costa

Head To Head

When the two sides met at Goodison Park last season, it was a high-scoring occasion, with the visitors securing a 6-3 victory, largely thanks to a Diego Costa hat-trick.

Chelsea have won their last three matches against Everton, and five of their last six, with this weekend's hosts securing their only win a closely-fought 1-0 game in 2013.

Meetings between these two sides can get heated, with four red cards being handed out in the last 10 meetings between these two, including their most recent meeting at Stamford Bridge in February, where Gareth Barry picked up two yellow cards.

Although Chelsea have the better recent history in this fixture, there has been little to separate the two sides in their 160 previous meetings, with Chelsea securing 61 wins to Everton's 50, while 49 games have been drawn.

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We say: Everton 1-2 Chelsea

Mourinho will have spent the international break preparing his side for this match after coming under criticism in the opening weeks of the season. Although Everton will be a stronger side with their additions in the transfer window, Chelsea have had the beating of the home side in recent years, and should have enough to clinch a narrow win this time.

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