Prediction: Watford vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win and over 1.5 goals 

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to widen their buffer in the top-four and start November in winning fashion, Chelsea will make the trip to rock-bottom Watford on Saturday evening.

Watford

Starting with the hosts, crashing out of the EFL Cup thanks to a 2-0 loss away at fellow strugglers Everton in midweek, Watford are still drastically struggling to adjust to life under returning boss Quique Sánchez Flores. Still the only Premier League outfit who are yet to record a top-flight victory in their opening 10 attempts, the Hornets already find themselves sat two points adrift at the foot of the table and four points off of safety. Now arguably the leading contender in the race to be hit with a Championship return come next summer, a huge part of their continued issues have come down to some glaring struggles in front of goal. Once again drawing a blank on their travels on Tuesday night, Watford have failed to find the net in four of their previous five appearances and they have also recorded just a single strike in almost 500 minutes of action. Sadly for fans around Vicarage Road, they will also be more than aware of their continued issues against Saturday’s guests. Slumping to a 3-0 hammering the last time the two sides met back in May, they have also lost five of the last six matchups against the former champions.

Team News

Watford also have numerous fitness concerns, with Troy Deeney, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley all set to remain on the sidelines.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, although Chelsea may have seen Manchester United end their EFL Cup dreams on Wednesday night, new Blues boss Frank Lampard has a string of positives to take away heading into November. Winning seven of their last eight matches across all formats, their youthful squad has seen them gain a long list of admirers. With the former Derby boss having his sights firmly set on securing another campaign of Champions League football in the bag come May, the former Premier League champions currently hold a four-point buffer from dropping out of the top-four. Along with continuing to shine in the final third, there is no doubt that Lampard will be most impressed by his side’s form outside of West London. Bagging back-to-back European victories, including a 1-0 win away at last year’s semi-finalists Ajax, the Blues have now won each of their last six matches away from Stamford Bridge. With the mood in their camp the highest it has been since appointing the former England midfielder over the summer, Chelsea should be confident of making an immediate return to winning ways this weekend.

Team News

Lampard could revert back to the Chelsea team which beat Burnley for the upcoming trip to Watford. If there is to be a change from Turf Moor, Pedro could come in for Christian Pulisic.

Fikayo Tomori will come back in alongside Kurt Zouma at centre-back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met back in May, Chelsea cam away with a 3-0 win.
• Along with winning five of their last six meetings against Watford, the Blues have lost just one matchup against Saturday’s hosts since September 1999.
• Chelsea have won their last six matches away from Stamford Bridge.
• Watford are the only side still looking for a victory in their opening 10 Premier League matches.
• The Hornets have scored just a single goal in their last five matches across all competitions.

Conclusion

On paper, Chelsea should see this as a golden opportunity to extend their stay in the top-four and make an immediate return to winning ways. With Frank Lampard’s side continuing to shine on the road and still boosted by their shock victory in Holland last month, it is also hard to overlook their stellar record against Saturday’s hosts. Bagging a 3-0 win when the two sides met back in May and also winning five of their last six matches against the Hornets, we’re backing an away victory for the former champions this weekend.

Verdict: Chelsea win and over 1.5 goals 

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365