Mario
Suarez is in line for his debut as Watford host Chelsea in the Premier
League on Wednesday evening.
The Spanish midfielder arrived at Vicarage Road in a £4m move from
Fiorentina during the transfer window, and will be hoping to help the
Hornets to a third consecutive win in all competitions.
Quique Sanchez Flores' men knocked Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup on
Saturday, after ending their run of four successive league losses with a 2-1
win against Newcastle the week before.
Chelsea were also in fine FA Cup form on Sunday, beating MK Dons 5-1 to make
the fifth round and are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games.
However, Watford still remain above the current league champions - four
points and three places in front - and the Blues could go ten points clear
of the relegation zone with a win on Wednesday.
Team news
Suarez could be joined in the starting side by Jose Holebas, who is expected
to take the place of the ineligible Nathan Ake - currently on loan from
Chelsea.
Defenders Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) both continue their
rehabilitation and will not feature.
Willian is expected to overcome a bruised foot to feature for Guus Hiddink,
but Loic Remy (calf) remains out along with fellow striker Radamel Falcao
(thigh).
New Blues signings Alexandre Pato and Matt Miazga are not likely to be
included for another week or so as they continue to settle into life at
Stamford Bridge.
Paul Merson's prediction
Chelsea should win this one. They've got the players to do just that and
they seem up for it now. The players may be the same but Chelsea are a
different team to when Jose Mourinho was there. Since Guus Hiddink has come
in the players have really upped their games. Cesc Fabregas looks like the
player he used to be, as does Diego Costa. If Chelsea can keep Troy Deeney
and Odion Ighalo quiet they win this game. It's quite simple. I see a 2-1
Chelsea win with Costa scoring first.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Opta stats
Watford have kept a clean sheet in half (6) of their last 12 Premier League
home matches.
Troy Deeney has created 26 goalscoring chances for Odion Ighalo this season
in the Premier League (assisting a goal with six of these); a higher number
than any player for a teammate in 2015-16.
Odion Ighalo has scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League matches
at Vicarage Road for the Hornets.
Watford have won just one of their previous seven Premier League games in
the month of February (W1 D2 L4).
This will be Watford's 100th Premier League match, becoming the 39th team to
reach a century of games in the competition.
Chelsea have won 28 points from their 23 Premier League games so far in
2015-16 - it took them 11 games to surpass this tally in 2014-15.
Watford's 32 point tally after 23 games this season is the best at this
stage of a season by a newly-promoted side since Birmingham City (34) in
2009-10.
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