Carlo Ancelotti is convinced Everton boast the quality and motivation to deliver the “fantastic” performance required to end Chelsea’s 17-match unbeaten run on Saturday.

Victory at Goodison Park would move Everton within two points of their third-placed opponents – and represent the perfect start to what Ancelotti considers an important period of the season.

The meeting with Chelsea marks the beginning of six games in 16 days.

Additionally, it represents one of the toughest current Premier League tests, one Everton will have to negotiate without forward James Rodriguez, who is missing with a calf problem.

Ancelotti insists his side is capable of retaining its attacking spark in the Colombian’s absence, while taking another step forwards in the bid to implement defensive solidity.

“Chelsea is in a really good moment, after a difficult start they started to play like they want and are capable,” said Ancelotti.

“It is necessary for us to give and fantastic and top, top performance [to win the game].

“The question is, are we able to do this?

“The answer, in my personal opinion is, yes, we are able to compete.

“We are where we want to be in the table – that means to fight for a position in Europe.

“There is a lot of competition at the top but Everton is there and we want to be there as long as possible.

“We start a busy and difficult period [against Chelsea], so for us this is a really good test.

"It will be an important moment, an important test, not only tomorrow [Saturday], but in December.

“We arrive at the game with confidence and motivation.

“We are not happy it was only in the first game [at Tottenham Hotspur] we had a clean sheet.

“We tried to solve this using different shapes and styles and have to improve the attitude and concentration defensively.

“We are working on this and all the players are focused here.”

Everton won the corresponding fixture 12 months ago when caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson orchestrated a startling performance and rousing Goodison Park afternoon.

Ancelotti watched that game at home on television and, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, confessed a comparably spirited approach would act as a “good base” for a repeat showing.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice in that match, prompting an exceptional run of form which has produced 21 goals in 33 Premier League starts.

Everton’s other goal came from Richarlison, joint-top scorer in each of the past two season, who Ancelotti is urging to join the goals trail this term.

“Dominic has more consistency in the box, different from last season,” said Ancelotti.

“With him, and the work James and Richarlison did, we didn’t have problems [offensively].

“I am hoping Richarlison starts to score goals like Dominic.

“We will be able to adapt to the fact James is not going to play.

“We have a good squad, maybe we are going to play a little bit differently.

“But we are able to support the fact he is not going to play tomorrow.”

It will be impossible to rival the atmosphere for Chelsea’s most recent visit inside Goodison this weekend.

The presence of 2,000 supporters, though, will make for a marked improvement on the feeling in grounds for behind-closed doors football.

Ancelotti, for one, is expecting a notable contrast with even limited numbers watching from the stands.

On the touchline, he will be confronted by Frank Lampard, the Chelsea manger, who was a significant figure when Ancelotti won the Double in charge at Stamford Bridge a decade ago.

“He is doing really well… he has a fantastic squad and team, his job is really good,” said Ancelotti.

“Our relationship has changed.

“Before it was between manager and player, now it is between colleagues.

“I am pleased and happy to see him again.

“I think players, staff, coaches are really pleased to have supporters at the stadium.

“We are not used to having noise… I think there will be a lot of noise because we are not used to it.

“It will be a good sensation for everyone.”