Prediction: Watford vs Chelsea

Prediction: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 3/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

You know it’s getting to the business end of the calendar year when we start seeing midweek fixtures in the Premier League. The next few weeks are set to feature a whole lot of carnage in England’s top flight as we commence the always-hectic winter schedule. It’ll get underway in the next few days with one of the clashes being something of a David vs Goliath meeting when Watford play host to Chelsea.

Watford

Nobody really knew what to expect from Watford when Claudio Ranieri walked through the door but now, we’d argue they’re more entertaining than ever. They don’t back down to teams, they score plenty of goals and they resemble a somewhat sloppier version of Leeds from last season. Sure, they’ll probably be in a relegation scrap, but Ranieri is prepared for that and their fans probably are too.

Team News

Watford have plenty of injury issues to deal with as they gear up for this game. Foster, Dennis, Masina and Sarr are all considered to be fitness concerns with the following players already ruled out: Nkoulou, Sierralta, Etebo, Sema and Baah.

Chelsea

Chelsea are the European champions and they also happen to be one of the best teams in world football – who knew? Thomas Tuchel has them operating at an incredibly high level and there are only a handful of teams who can claim to be as good as them, or even remotely close. Now, it’s all about keeping their focus as we head into the most chaotic period of the campaign thus far.

Team News

Silva is expected to be given a rest for this one after playing the last three games with Kovacic, Kante and Chilwell already being ruled out through injury.

Factors to Consider

• Chelsea are 1st in the Premier League whereas Watford are 16th.
• Watford have won two and lost four of their last six games.
• Chelsea have won four and drawn two of their last six games.
• Watford have scored 11 goals and conceded 14 in their last six games.
• Chelsea have scored 13 goals and conceded two in their last six games.

Conclusion

Chelsea will have to withstand some chaotic moments from a Watford side that doesn’t know how to quit but once they’ve managed to get past that stage, their overall quality should be enough to edge them over the finish line. It’s going to be a pretty tense affair as it so often tends to be in the opening hour or so of a Hornets game, but we expect Chelsea to win 3-1 and maintain their grip on the title race.

Prediction: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 3/10

Bookmaker: 888sport