Chelsea welcome Watford to Stamford Bridge in a crucial Premier League clash for both teams.
After Tottenham’s loss at Bournemouth on Saturday, this is a huge opportunity for Chelsea to take a huge step towards a top four finish.
Watford meanwhile are now playing for pride now ahead of their FA Cup Final in a fortnight’s time, after Wolves wrapped up seventh with a win over Fulham.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesChelsea will have Ruben Loftus-Cheek available after the England international suffered cramp in Thursday’s Europa League draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gary Cahill will miss this match with an Achilles injury but should be back for the Blues’ home leg on Thursday.
Antonio Rudiger (knee), Marco van Ginkel (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), Ethan Ampadu (back and Callum Hudson-Odoi (Achilles)
Watford will be without Etienne Capoue after the Frenchman picked up a groin injury during last weekend’s defeat against Wolves.
Capoue’s absence therefore means that Tom Cleverley could return from a lengthy calf injury, whilst Troy Deeney returns up front after serving a three match ban.
Miguel Britos is sidelined this weekend after having his wisdom tooth removed, as Sebastian Prodl (knee) and Domingos Quina (shoulder) remains out until next season.
Form
Chelsea enter this match off the back of 11 points from their last seven league games, plus 18 points from their eight home games in 2019.
Watford meanwhile have taken seven points from their last seven matches, with just four points from their last five away trips.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven meetings with Watford (W4, D2, L1).
- The winning team has netted four goals in three of last four meetings, which was broken when Chelsea won 2-1 on Boxing Day.
- Eden Hazard has made 13 assists for Chelsea this season, a joint league high alongside Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser.
- Watford’s Etienne Capoue and Jose Holebas have earned a combined 25 yellow cards between them this season.
- Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has been dispossessed 81 times whereas Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu has only lost the ball on 52 occasions.
Prediction
With Chelsea needing the points and this being quite a high scoring fixture in recent seasons, I reckon that we might be in for a goalfest here.
Watford’s poor away form however is a concern so I am going for a Chelsea win if aren’t hungover from Thursday’s draw in Frankfurt.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Watford
Jake predicts: Chelsea 2-0 Watford
Result: Chelsea 3-0 Watford