Watford will look to end the potential momentum of a Chelsea side under new guidance at Stamford Bridge tonight.
The reigning Premier League champions will hope that a new page has been turned after the sacking of Jose Mourinho last week. With Guus Hiddink looking on from the stands during the previous match against Sunderland, the team claimed a comprehensive 3-1 win and turned in their best performance of the season, albeit against a Black Cats side battling relegation. With the Dutchman officially appointed for his second stint as a caretaker manager and a favourable draw around the New Year, this period is the chance for Chelsea to boost themselves back into the top-half of the ladder at least.
The Christmas outlook could not be brighter for Quique Sanchez’ Watford though, defying expectation to currently sit seventh, just one point behind Crystal Palace. The brand of football that has been employed by the Hornets over the campaign has been sublime and straight-to-business, defensive but without ‘parking the bus’, while strikers Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney are in true predatory form. They come into this game after a similar situation last weekend, crushing the last of Jurgen Klopp’s momentum at Liverpool with a 3-0 demolition.
READ MORE: The downfall of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea is stranger than fiction
Key Battle – Chelsea defence vs Odion Ighalo
After conceding 20 times before the victory over Sunderland, the Chelsea defence was the weakest link in a team that was on the brink of implosion. There were some improvements shown last weekend, especially by the besieged Branislav Ivanovic, who rediscovered the confidence to overlap on the right-wing and opened the scoring with a bullet header. The back four, also consisting of Kurt Zouma, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta, were still unable to keep a clean sheet though and will face a far tougher test this time out against the on-fire Ighalo.
The Nigerian is one of the numerous strikers in the Premier League showing that a price tag does not mean everything this season. His name has appeared on the last four consecutive Watford scoresheets, including an astonishing brace against the Reds last weekend. Taking a more commanding role in the forward line and letting Deeney supply the ball into the box, Ighalo’s power is sure to cause issues for the shaky South London backline tonight.
Team News
Although rejoining the team for training duties during the week, playmaker Eden Hazard is still a doubt for Guus Hiddink ahead of this clash, yet his is the only injury worry and the setup should largely remain the same with Pedro completing the attacking trio behind Diego Costa.
There is also minimal worry for Quique Flores in the availabilities department, with Joel Ekstrand still on the long-term injury list and Sebastian Prodl a small possibility to feature. The core Hornets starting XI will also stay intact, however, Nathan Ake will be ineligible to play against his parent club.
Head-to-head
Chelsea have only faced the Hornets 26 times before, holding a slight historic advantage with 13 wins compared to 9. Four of the games have ended in draws.
Previous meeting
The last time these two faced-off was quite recently though, with the then-Mourinho managed Chelsea sending Watford out of last season’s FA Cup with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Prediction
Watford definitely have the form to leave Stamford Bridge with maximum points, however, Chelsea also always have the quality to send them home empty-handed, depending on just how much confidence has returned to the team under Hiddink. The Blues will most likely rue any chances given Ighalo’s way, yet their desperation at home should be enough to see the game end in an entertaining draw.
Chelsea 2 Watford 2
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
