Chelsea FC would play hosts to Watford on Saturday, hoping to nab a win in a game that would strengthen their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Blues had suffered a 3-2 loss at West Ham United this week and would hope to avoid such a scenario again while facing relegation-threatened Watford.
With the loss to the Hammers, the Blues missed a golden opportunity to move into third place in the Premier League table. After Leicester City had lost their game to Everton earlier this week, a win for Chelsea FC against West Ham United would have helped them overtake the Foxes in the league standings.
Meanwhile, Watford have encountered a downward spiral in the form with Nigel Pearson’s side having been in poor form since the Premier League’s restart. The Hornets have managed to secure only one point from their last three games following Project Restart.
However, Watford would be looking to spoil Chelsea FC’s party with a shock win at the Stamford Bridge. An unlikely win for Watford would be difficult considering that the Blues have been in fine form recently. The loss suffered by Frank Lampard’s side at the London Stadium to the Hammers was only their first Premier League defeat in six games.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 4th July
Time: 8 PM GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Frank Lampard would no doubt be delighted to have no injury concerns in his Blues squad ahead of the game against Watford. Earlier fears over Christian Pulisic’s fitness had been proved to be futile with the American having been in the starting lineup for the last game against West Ham United.
English center-back Fikayo Tomori who had an injury niggle earlier is yet to play following the restart of the Premier League. The defender could be given a place on the bench for the upcoming game.
Croatian international Matteo Kovacic would miss the game against the Hornets having picked up an Achilles problem in Chelsea FC’s last fixture. Lampard could give a start to Jorginho instead, having benched the Italian midfielder for the previous two games.
As for Watford, the trio of Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina will be welcomed back into the squad. The trio had been left out of the Hornet’s last game after being found to be guilty of flouting social distancing norms.
Moreover, central defender Craig Dawson is suspended for the Chelsea FC game and thus won’t be a part of the Hornet’s first-team squad. Attackers Gerard Deulofeu and Isaac Success will also miss the upcoming game for Watford having been sidelined due to injury troubles.
RECENT FORM
Chelsea FC: W W W W L
Watford FC: W L D L L
CHELSEA FC VS WATFORD FC PREDICTED LINEUP
Chelsea FC: Kepa , Cesar Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Marcos Alonso, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Willian, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic
Watford FC: Ben Foster, Femenia, Kabasele, Mariappa, Masina, Etienne Capoue, Will Hughes, Sarr, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Pereyra, Deeney
