Chelsea Vs Watford Lineups: Here is how the Blues could line up against the Hornets on Sunday.
Chelsea will invite Watford to Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the battle out for a place in the top four. The Champions League qualification fate lies in their hands, and two victories from the last two games will enable them to participate in that above-mentioned tournament.
The Blues have looked shaky in recent weeks, and their last outing in front of their home fans resulted in a draw against Burnley. Maurizio Sarri’s side were only able to draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in mid-week, but they take all-important away goal from Germany which could play a huge part in the tie. They are winless in the last three Premier League games and the fortunes need to change should they prevail to secure the fourth spot.
Watford, who appointed Javi Gracia have exceeded their expectations by securing 50 points this campaign. The Hornets have struggled against top six sides, but their challenge for the seventh spot and Europa League is not dead if they pick up a victory on Sunday. The likes of Andre Grey, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Gerard Deulofeu have looked on-form in recent weeks and they would want to up their tempo against the Blues.
We shall look at Chelsea’s team news, injury news, and predicted lineup as they prepare to face Watford on Sunday.
Team News
Chelsea learnt the fate of Antonio Rudiger’s injury, who is set to miss out for the rest of the campaign after he faced a recurrence against Manchester United last week. Callum Hudson-Odoi will be the other player who will be missed on Sunday.
Eden Hazard started from the bench on Thursday and the Belgian could play a huge part on Sunday. The Chelsea star has been blowing hot and cold over the last few weeks and his presence could change the dynamism for the hosts.
After the away game at Frankfurt, Sarri told the press, “This match was number 59 I think and Hazard also played eight matches in the national team. For a player it’s impossible to play 70, 75 matches in a season. Sometimes Hazard, like all the other players, needs to not play for 90 minutes. This is the first reason.
The second is that Eden is usually able to change the match from the bench. For me it was better to start with Willian and try in the last 30 minutes with Eden.”
“In the meeting before the match. Usually I don’t speak with the players that I put on the bench. Eden is a player – probably the best – but he is a player. Otherwise I have to speak to every player. He was in the dressing room as usual joking. He was normal. He knows very well sometimes he has to rest.” said Sarri.
PREDICTED LINEUP
Chelsea: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley, Eden Hazard, Willian, Gonzalo Higuain.
