Walter
Mazzarri and Antonio Conte will resume their rivalry when Watford face
Chelsea at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
The pair clashed on several occasions when they were managing in Italy, with
Conte apparently annoyed with implied suggestions that he had copied
Mazzarri's formation.
However, speaking ahead of this weekend's fixture, Conte said there is no
feud between the pair.
"The relationship is very normal and I have great respect for him and his
work. I think he is a great manager and I will shake his hand, no problem,"
said the Chelsea boss.
Conte and Mazzarri met seven times in Serie A as managers, with Mazzari only
coming out on top once.
While Conte started his Chelsea career with a 2-1 win over West Ham on
Monday, Mazzarri's Watford drew 1-1 at Southampton.
The Hornets are set to strengthen their squad, though, with the signings of
Roberto Pereyra and Younes Kaboul.
Team news
Watford club-record signing Isaac Success will be assessed after only
returning to training on Wednesday from a hamstring injury that kept him out
of the draw with Southampton.
Brice Dja Djedje is a doubt with a foot injury and Ben Watson is suspended
after he was sent off on the opening day.
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns but Juan Cuadrado could be omitted
from the squad again despite training on Friday, with Juventus still
attempting to force a transfer for the Colombia forward.
Kurt Zouma remains sidelined with long-term knee trouble.
Opta stats
Watford have met Chelsea three times at Vicarage Road in the Premier League
(W1 D1 L1), with their only win coming back in September 1999, 1-0 with a
goal from Allan Smart.
The only Chelsea player to score in their three Premier League trips to
Vicarage Road was Salomon Kalou; who hit a 90th minute winner in March 2007.
Antonio Conte has lost just one of his last 31 league games as a club
manager (W28 D2).
Following his winner versus West Ham United on Monday, Diego Costa has
scored six goals in eight Premier League appearances for Chelsea in the
month of August.
Eden Hazard has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances
- this after failing to find the net in his 29 league appearances before
that.
Troy Deeney has been involved in six of Watford's last seven Premier League
goals (four goals, two assists).
Paul Merson's prediction
I thought Chelsea played well against West Ham. They got lucky, don't get me
wrong, because Diego Costa should have gone but it was a good start against
a solid team.
Watford were outstanding against Southampton in the first half at St Mary's
and their defensive shape worked a treat. They had the Saints penned back at
times, which was impressive.
There are positive signs for Walter Mazzarri, but I'm going for Chelsea to
edge it at Vicarage Road.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
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