2021-22 Premier League: Week 38 – Chelsea vs Watford

Chelsea welcome Watford to Stamford Bridge in a dead-rubber encounter on final day of 2021-22 Premier League season.

Victory would see Chelsea secure third in the table, whereas Watford will avoid finishing rock-bottom with a win.

 

Team News

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Timo Werner is a doubt for Chelsea after he missed their 1-1 draw against Leicester on Thursday evening with a hamstring injury.

Andreas Christiansen (illness) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle) are doubts but Callum Hudson-Odoi (Achilles) and Ben Chilwell (knee) remain absent.

Watford could welcome Cucho Hernandez back from a hamstring injury.

Kiko Femenia, Josh King (both illness), Samir, Nicholas Nkoulou (both groin) and Tom Cleverley (rib) are doubts.

Juraj Kucka, Imran Louza, Emmanuel Dennis, Ismaila Sarr (all knee) and Peter Etebo (knock) are ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea have won each of their last five Premier League meetings against Watford (W5).
• Watford have claimed just one point from their last five league visits to Chelsea (D1, L4).
• Chelsea have defeated Watford 3-0 in their last two meetings at Stamford Bridge with an English midfielder scoring on both occasions – Ruben Loftus-Cheek in April 2019 and Ross Barkley in July 2020.
• Antonio Rudiger has picked up more yellow card bookings in the Premier League this season than any other Chelsea player, having been booked in nine of his 33 appearances.
• Emmanuel Dennis has been involved in 16 of Watford’s 33 league goals this season, having delivered 10 goals and six assists.

 

Prediction

Just a week ago, Chelsea were reeling from a third consecutive FA Cup Final defeat, yet them seemed to put that heartbreak behind them with a dominant display against Leicester on Thursday even though they did waste several chances against a stubborn defence.

Watford meanwhile looked more confident in the opening minutes against Leicester last Sunday than they had for majority of the season, only for their defence to revert to type which is a huge issue for new manager, Rob Edwards to resolve next season.

In fact, I am anticipating an one-sided contest if Chelsea turn up with another ruthlessly dominant performance but more clinical, as I can see the Hornets’ defence getting ripped to shreds here if not careful.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Watford

Result: Chelsea 2-1 Watford