Chelsea will play against Watford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. This match is going to be a very vital one for the change in scenario of the League Table of Premier League. Watford are currently situated at 4th position in the League Table with 15 points in their 8 encounters so far while Chelsea are in 5th position with 13 points from the same number of matches.
The Blues’ back to back defeat against Manchester City and Crystal Palace had suddenly kicked them out of title contenders’ list. They are now 9 points behind the League leaders Manchester City. Chelsea had earned a hard fought draw against Roma on Wednesday in the Champions League with a scoreline of 3-3. The continuous injury woes are affecting on Chelsea’s play. But Hazard’s brace in the last match against Roma will give them some boost ahead of the Watford match.
Watford will be high on confidence after beating Arsenal in the previous Match in the Premier League last weekend. They had come back from 1-0 deficit to make it 2-1 at the end for Watford. Troy Deeney’s penalty goal and Cleverley’s goal at the last moment was enough for them to beat Arsenal. They will be keen to pull off another win against Chelsea and mark a real good impression at the start of the new season.
Team News :
Chelsea :
Chelsea are now facing several injury problems. N Golo Kante, the midfield general is suffering from a Grade A hamstring injury. Danny Drinkwater is out of the contention with a calf muscle injury. Victor Moses is also out with a hamstring problem. In the match against Roma David Luiz had to be taken off due to Injury. Tiemoue Bakayoko is also having some groin problem.
Thibaut Courtois is going to start at the Chelsea Goal. Azpilicueta, Cahill and Rudiger are going to be three chosen central defenders for this match. Alonso and Zappacosta will be two wingbacks while Fabregas and Christensen might pair up in the central midfield area. Hazard and Pedro will play along with Morata in the upfront of the field for Chelsea.
Watford :
Chelsea academy Nathaniel Chalobah will be out of the contention to start the match against his boyhood club. Gomes will start at Watford Goal while Kabasele, Britos and Mariappa will play as three central defenders. Femenia and Holebas will play as two wingbacks while Cleverley and Doucoure will be in the central midfield position. Richarlison and Pereyra will play along with Gray at the upfront of the field against Chelsea.
Possible Starting Eleven :
Chelsea : (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper : Courtois
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Cahill.
Midfielders : Alonso, Fabregas, Christensen, Zappacosta.
Attackers : Pedro, Morata, Hazard.
Watford :(3-4-3)
Goalkeeper : Gomes
Defenders : Kabasele, Britos, Mariappa.
Midfielders : Femenia, Cleverley, Doucoure, Holebas
Attackers : Richarlison, Pereyra, Gray.
My Score Prediction :
Chelsea 2-0 Watford.
The home advantage might just be enough to push the Blues across the line, with a couple of second half goals and they should be able to secure all three points at home, though it will surely not be an easy game. Hopefully, Conte has the right plan to break his opposition on the night.
