Insight and analysis:Watford vs Chelsea Premier League 2021 match preview.
Watford vs Chelsea Premier League 2021 Match Preview, Injuries/Suspension, Match Facts, Team News, Prediction and Where to Watch.
Claudio Ranieri’s Watford side lost 4-2 to one of his old clubs, Leicester City, on Sunday, and he now faces another of his former employers, Chelsea, with the hope of improving on that result.
Despite the setback, they are just above the Premier League (PL) relegation zone after a run of seven league games without a draw (W2, L5).
Since June 2020, they’ve only had one Premier League draw (W4, L5), and their most recent encounter at Vicarage Road ended in a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United, which cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job.
Worryingly, the ‘Hornets’ enter this encounter with a number of players out injured, which could lead to further early goal action – scoring has occurred in each of their last four home league matches.
Given their possession dominance and the fact that their two main title challengers have previously beaten the same opponents this season, Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Man United on Sunday may be seen as an opportunity squandered.
They’ll see Sunday as a good chance to get back on track, since they’ve won their last four Premier League head-to-heads, with each match having exactly three goals.
The ‘Blues’ have kept a league-high five Premier League away clean sheets this season, having won their last four competitive away games ‘to nil’.
They only have three days between this encounter and their next away match against West Ham, so another would be ideal.
Watford’s Joshua King has scored five goals in his team’s last five league games, three of which came in the first 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in Chelsea’s last six competitive matches, Reece James has scored three second-half goals.
Read more Manchester United vs Atalanta: Champions League 2021 Match Preview, Injuries/Suspensions, Match Facts, PredictionHot Stats
Watford has surrendered in each of their last 23 Premier League games (W6, D2, L15).
Team News
Watford
After Ben Foster was ruled out with a groin injury at the weekend, Daniel Bachmann is on standby to keep his place in the team.
After Adam Masina was forced off with a knock in the defeat to Leicester, Danny Rose, an ex-Tottenham defender, could be called upon to start at left-back.
On Sunday, Emmanuel Dennis was also injured, and his absence would be a huge setback for the Hornets, especially because Ismaila Sarr is unlikely to return.
Christian Kabasele returned to the bench at the weekend and might take over at the back for William Troost-Ekong, who made an error on Sunday.
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel will make changes to the starting lineup that drew 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday.
Thiago Silva has started all three games since the international break and could be ready for a rest in this one.
Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic, and Ross Barkley will all compete for starting spots.
Match Facts
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in each of Watford’s last eight games against Chelsea in all competitions.
In all competitions, Chelsea has won 7 of their last 8 games against Watford.
In their last four road encounters, Chelsea has kept a clean sheet (Premier League).
Chelsea has won four of their past five away games (Premier League).
In all competitions, Chelsea has scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight games against Watford.
Prediction
Watford continues to yo-yo between the two extremes.
Claudio Ranieri’s side bounced back from a 5-0 loss to Liverpool in his first game in command with a 5-2 win over Everton, and now they’ve bounced back from a 4-1 win over Manchester United with a 4-2 loss to Leicester on Sunday.
Chelsea’s lead at the top of the league was reduced to just one point over the weekend after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
Chelsea were the better team throughout, but they had to come back from a goal down to get a point after missing a number of good chances.
They should vent their rage on Watford in this game.
Where To Watch
DAZN Japan, Digi Sport 1 (Hun), Sport TV (Por), TV3 MAX, Viaplay (Den), Viaplay (Fin), Viaplay (Swe)
