Chelsea once again finds themselves playing at Stamford Bridge, the ground where The Blues lost to league leaders, Manchester City just before the international break. Chelsea together with their London rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs, were the only two of the five English sides who failed to record victory in Champions League in the midweek. Interestingly, the two teams from the capital city were the frontrunners in last season's Premier League with Chelsea clinching the title while The Spurs emerged the runners-up.
Watford has had an impressive start to the new season after only losing a single game in the eight Premier League fixtures played so far.
The only loss that the Hornets have tasted this season is the 0-6 thumping at the hands of Manchester City at Vicarage Road Stadium. However, the team will be buoyed by the result that they achieved last weekend after coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 to stay in the fourth spot in the league table.
Talking points
The reigning English champions have now gone three games in all competitions without recording a victory. The trouble started for Chelsea just before the international break when the Londoners lost a narrow 0-1 to Manchester City before losing to the struggling 2-1 to Crystal Palace in the last league game. The Blues went ahead in their midweek action with two goals against AS Roma in Champions League only to leave the Italians to go lead as the hosts fought for a draw.
The European game ended in 3-3 stalemate with Eden Hazard grabbing a brace while former Manchester City duo of Aleksandr Kolarov and Edin Dzeko scoring the three opponent's goals.
The worry at Chelsea is how the defending champions are performing dismally at Stamford Bridge- the ground that used to be the home team fortress.
Out of the five games, Chelsea has failed to win, four of them have come at Stamford Bridge with Burnley beginning the fire in the 2-3 season's opener.
The Hornets have begun a new life with the new manager on a high note with the team only losing only one league to stay ahead of Chelsea in league standings. Marco Silva joined Watford from the relegated Hull City after the sacking of Walter Marrazi at the beginning of the season.
The Portuguese-born tactician has revived the team's spirit inspiring the Hornets to win even in the 2-1 comeback against Arsenal last weekend.
Team news
The hosts head into this game without three players who are sidelined with injuries. The injured trios are Victor Moses and the former Leicester City duo of N'golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater who hasn't made any appearance since joining Chelsea. The champions could be in more problem as it occurs that David Luiz, Gary Cahill, and Tiemoue Bakayoko may have sustained minor injuries in the 3-3 draw against AS Roma in the midweek. The three players are doubtful for the Watford game so their appearance will depend on a late fitness test. However, Antonio Conte will be happy that his side's top scorer Alvaro Morata featured in the midweek game and will be available for the lunchtime fixture on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
The visitors aren't spared with injury cases with five players automatically set to miss the trip to London. Former Chelsea player, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tommie Hoban, Craig Cathcart, Isaac Success and Younes Kaboul and in the long list of the of Watford casualties. Sebastian Prodl who missed out on the 2-1 success against Gunners is doubtful for the fixture as his availability will be subjected to a late fitness test.
Predictions
The hosts have won 8 of the ten meetings with Watford in all competitions with the Londoners scoring at least two home goals against the Hornets in the last seven games in all competitions at Stamford Bridge. The last seven matches in all competitions pitting Chelsea and Watford have yielded more than three goals each.
However, the last three league games that The Blues have hosted have realized less than three goals on each occasion.
The visitors have managed to score at least two goals while on the road in the last five Premier League matches. Given that game will mostly be played under the hot lunchtime sun, the physical side with tall players may have an edge in a game that is likely to yield more goals. Morata, Hazard, Alonso, and Deeney are the likely scorers in the tie.
Final score prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Watford
