Watford - Chelsea: Preview and Lineups Prediction
Chelsea make the trip to Watford on Wednesday evening in search of a better result than the 2-2 draw in the reverse f...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2016/02/watford-chelsea-preview-and-lineups.html
Chelsea make the trip to Watford on Wednesday evening in search of a better result than the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture that marked Guus Hiddink's first game in charge since returning to west London.
The Blues are bouncing after inflicting a 5-1 hiding at MK Dons in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, although their Championship opposition's poor defensive organisation saw them carved open time and time again.
Regardless of the tactical rights and wrongs, Chelsea will take a lot of confidence from progressing in competition they've made one of their specialities in the last decade or so.
Likewise, Watford, one of the busiest teams in the January transfer window with six new acquisitions, saw off Nottingham Forest over the weekend after taking three points against Newcastle United the Saturday prior.
The Rams are currently tenth in the Premier League standings and shouldn't be considered easy opposition by any means; they were barely outplayed by Manchester City when they down 2-1 to Manuel Pellegrini's side in early January.
Nathan Ake is the only new absentee for the hosts due to being ineligible to face his parent club, while Tommy Hoban and Joel Ekstrand remain out long-term.
Watford Starting XI Prediction
Gomes | Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas | Capoue, Watson, Behrami | Jurado | Deeney, Ighalo
Six Previous Meetings
Chelsea 2-2 Watford (Premier League, December 2015)
Chelsea 3-0 Watford (FA Cup, January 2015)
Chelsea 5-0 Watford (FA Cup, January 2010)
Watford 1-3 Chelsea (FA Cup, February 2009)
Watford 0-1 Chelsea (Premier League, March 2007)
Score Prediction
We finally look to have turned a corner this season. We're playing the confidence of a team who believes they can beat anyone if we work hard and play to our strengths – an attitude we've lacked since day one of the campaign.
A return to form for a number of our key players plus a series of convincing wins against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and now MK Dons has given us a reason to feel optimistic about our chances of clawing back towards the top end of the table. There's still a long way to go, but 15 fixtures can do strange things to the Premier League standings. First things first, though; we need to keep collecting points.
I think we can secure a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road. What are your score predictions?
Gomes | Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas | Capoue, Watson, Behrami | Jurado | Deeney, Ighalo
Six Previous Meetings
Chelsea 2-2 Watford (Premier League, December 2015)
Chelsea 3-0 Watford (FA Cup, January 2015)
Chelsea 5-0 Watford (FA Cup, January 2010)
Watford 1-3 Chelsea (FA Cup, February 2009)
Watford 0-1 Chelsea (Premier League, March 2007)
Score Prediction
We finally look to have turned a corner this season. We're playing the confidence of a team who believes they can beat anyone if we work hard and play to our strengths – an attitude we've lacked since day one of the campaign.
A return to form for a number of our key players plus a series of convincing wins against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and now MK Dons has given us a reason to feel optimistic about our chances of clawing back towards the top end of the table. There's still a long way to go, but 15 fixtures can do strange things to the Premier League standings. First things first, though; we need to keep collecting points.
I think we can secure a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road. What are your score predictions?
