Chelsea vs Watford. Premier League.
Stamford BridgeAttendance41,467.
Saturday 21 October 2017 11:22, UK
Chelsea will be aiming to end their losing run in the Premier League when they host Watford, live on Sky Sports, on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues have been defeated in their last two league matches by Manchester City and Crystal Palace, and drew 3-3 with Roma in their midweek Champions League tie after letting a 2-0 lead slip.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said in his pre-match press conference that his side 'want to come back and win' after two defeats, but they face a tough test in Watford.
They are currently two points and one place ahead of fifth-place Chelsea in the table and nicked a 2-1 victory against Arsenal last weekend thanks to a late Tom Cleverley strike.
David Luiz (calf) and Tiemoue Bakayoko (groin) are Chelsea's latest injury concerns after they suffered knocks against Roma and Conte says he has "many doubts" to face the Hornets.
Danny Drinkwater (calf) and N'Golo Kante (hamstring) are certain omissions along with Victor Moses (hamstring).
Watford must again do without Sebastian Prodl (thigh) and Younes Kaboul (hamstring) for Saturday game live on Sky Sports Premier League.
The Hornets have no fresh injury problems from last weekend's win over Arsenal. Nathaniel Chalobah and Craig Cathcart both continue their recovery from knee problems, along with Isaac Success.
Chelsea have lost just one of the previous eight Premier League meetings with Watford (W5 D2 L1); this coming in a 1-0 win for the Hornets at Vicarage Road back in September 1999 - Allan Smart scoring the only goal of the game.
Watford haven't won a competitive game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since May 5th 1986. The Hornets enjoyed a 5-1 victory in their final top-flight game of the 1985-86 season, thanks to goals from David Bardsley (2), Brian Talbot (2) and Colin West.
Chelsea have already lost three of their opening eight Premier League games to the 2017-18 season. The last time a team lost this many of their opening eight league games and still won the top-flight title were Manchester United in 1966-67.
Marco Silva has won 10 points from a possible 12 away from home in the Premier League as a manager this season (W3 D1 L0). In 2016-17 while at Hull City, he saw his side pick up just two points from nine away games in the Premier League (W0 D2 L7).
Etienne Capoue scored in both of Watford's defeats to Chelsea last season in the Premier League. He was the only player in the entire 2016-17 Premier League campaign to score home and away against the Blues.
Richarlison - who has made more tackles than any other Premier League forward this season (21) - has also had a hand in more goals than any other Watford player this term (three goals, one assist).
This is a massive game. Looking at the start of the season, it looked like a gimme for Chelsea. But not now, especially the way Chelsea are.
They got ripped apart by Man City, beaten by Palace, and then let in three against nowhere near the best side in Italy at the moment, Roma.
It's worrying for Chelsea, and it's a big game. If they lose this, and Man City win as expected, they go 12 points behind them. People say there's a long way to go, but City are putting severe pressure on everybody. You look at them and think: where are they going to lose three or four games?
Watford have done really well, but I'm going to go Chelsea 2-1.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Chelsea are Sky Bet's favourites for victory at 4/11, with Watford 15/2 to win and the draw priced at 19/5. Alvaro Morata heads the first goal-scorer betting at 9/4, with the visitors' main threats to break the deadlock deemed to be Andre Gray and Troy Deeney, both at 11/1.
