There is only one trophy both Chelsea and Everton can vie for this season and that is the FA Cup. With Premier League title and Capital One Cup dreams over for the two clubs this season, it can be expected that the teams will give their all once the game kicks off.
Everton host Chelsea at the Goodison Park, Saturday, in their FA Cup quarter final fixture.
Guus Hiddink's army had a chance to progress further in the UEFA Champions League this season but their dreams came crashing down as French giants PSG defeated the Premier League champions over two legs to progress to the last eight.
And with no other trophy apart from the FA Cup to look forward to this season, the Chelsea interim manager has asked his men to take the match very seriously now. "We had a difficult loss [against Paris St-Germain] and just two days to recover physically, psychologically and mentally," Hiddink was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"It's always a blow when you're knocked out (even when) by a good team. Now the players have to respond. Mentally, it's very important they're resilient."
While Chelsea steadily moved back to the top half of the Premier League table after a string of good results in the second phase of the season, Everton kept slumping down. Roberto Martinez's men are currently 12th in the Premier League with three wins and three defeats from their previous six league fixtures.
The Toffees reached the semi final of the Capital One Cup this season as well where they lost to eventual winner Manchester City. "When you see the work of the players and then you don't get the rewards you deserve, it is painful," Martinez said.
"[It is] a pain we share with all the fans. The frustration is there. We've seen outstanding signs this season and that is why it is so frustrating to see in games where we are winning, we throw it away.
"I don't see it [the FA Cup quarterfinal] as a make-or-break (game). I see it as the type of game we want to be involved in. We have the advantage of playing it at Goodison, and we could achieve something really special," the Spanish coach explained.
The Toffees have faced the Blues twice this season already in the Premier League. While Everton won 3-1 against Chelsea last September at the Goodison Park, their return leg fixture at the Stamford Bridge in January turned out to be a 3-3 draw.
Where to watch live
Everton vs Chelsea is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. GMT (11 p.m. IST, 7 am EST), March 12.
In India, viewers can catch the game on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Online streaming will be available on Sony Liv.
In the UK and Ireland, viewers can catch the game on the BBC One UK and it can also be watched on Chelsea TV online. Radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio.
In the US, viewers can catch the game on Fox Sports 2 USA and Fox Deportes. Online streaming will be available on Fox Sports Go and Fox Soccer2Go USA.
Live scores of the game can be followed on the official twitter handle of Chelsea and Everton.
