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.
Team news
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.
Opta stats
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).
Paul Merson's prediction
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)
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