The Premier League world awakes blearily from another international break this weekend. The end of the international break sees Everton ensconced in one of the toughest five-match stretches in recent memory. Already having lost to Manchester City 2-0, the Merseyside Derby was ruined by the (now rescinded) red card that Martin Atkinson waved at Jack Rodwell in the 23rd minute. Now, Everton faces Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Fulham at Craven Cottage, Chelsea at Goodison (League Cup), and Manchester United at Goodison (annual 'Hate Wayne Rooney' day).

It has now been almost a month since Everton's last point. Miserable refereeing decisions aside, we need to secure at least some points during this period. Everton has not been playing poorly this season (the schedule-makers just have it in for us)!

I always have hope when we play Chelsea because what Everton's good at is what Chelsea's bad at. For all of their oligarch-assembled squad and the best new fad manager money can buy (and Abramovich can fire after two seasons), Chelsea's back line is susceptible to high balls into the box.

Petr Cech is questionable in the air. I'm not sure whether it's caused by the emotional baggage following his disastrous penalty shank in the Champions League final or the karma that's attached to him after he had a sexual relationship with his teammate's former fiancé but John Terry can't jump anymore. Also, Louis Saha loves scoring against John Terry. Memorably, he scored the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history in 2009. Tim Cahill also loves scoring against Chelsea. They're my biggest hope for the match Saturday.

Everton's past three visits to Stamford Bridge have been draws. I think that we'll be lucky to see a draw tomorrow. Unfortunately, our best chance to get a point went away after Fernando 'Ladyboy' Torres got sent off against Swansea for a challenge more hideous than his miss against United. This means that we have to face Didier Drogba. He's the exact type of player that our back line has problems with. Inevitably, we will allow chances and Drogba has the skill to put them away.

As is often the case, our chance to get the spoils tomorrow will be determined by whether we can get around Chelsea's outside backs and how often we can craft quality set pieces. As such, Louis Saha and Leighton Baines will be key tomorrow. Louis will be drawing freekicks and Leighton must put them away like he did against Chelsea in the FA Cup last season. Also, I know I've been saying it for the past month but Tim Cahill is primed to score in one of these big matches. He's had two weeks to think about his missed opportunities against City and the kopites and he's will be a threat tomorrow.

I haven't felt good about a match against Chelsea since the 2009 FA Cup Final. Call it conditioning, but I always get depressed and think we're going to lose against them. Of course, every time I've felt that way we've gotten at least a point.

Here are some key battles to watch on Saturday:

(The aforementioned) Louis Saha v. John Terry

Seamus Coleman (if he starts) v. (c)Ashley Cole: Seamus really has it in for Chelsea. These are the matches where I always exclaim, "I love how Seamus Coleman plays football." Whether it's the late challenge on Cole that should have been a penalty or his shove on John Terry in the FA Cup match last year, Seamus will have fire in his belly for this game; I hope he gets the start.

Chelsea v. Jack Rodwell: Chelsea has never won a match against Everton with Jack Rodwell in the team.

Tim Cahill v. God: God knows it's time for Tim Cahill to score a goal and, for my part, I hope it's tomorrow.

David Moyes v. The Urge to Play Tim Cahill Alone Up Top: Please David, Just play Louis.

My XI to start: Tim 'USA King' Howard, Pip Neville, Phil the Jag, 'Buzz' Distin, Leighton Baines, Fellaini, Drenthe, Coleman, Osman, Cahill, Saha

Subs that will be made: Jack 'Martin Atkinson is a cheating bastard' Rodwell, Vellios, Hibbert (ftw)

How many times Saha will skin Terry: +/- 5

Result: 1-1 or 2-2

See you in the Carling Cup in a week.

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