After the packed festive schedule Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will probably decide to rest most of his first-team regulars for their FA Cup third-round match at home against Watford on Sunday. The Blues boss has not made many changes in his starting eleven lately and that might have cost him as Chelsea dropped points in four of their last seven league matches. Moreover, the period ended with a 5-3 defeat at Tottenham on New Year's Day, a result which leaves them tied with Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mourinho will probably rest Eden Hazard or Cesc Fabregas, but playing Watford might prove tricky as the Championship side have been in good shape lately. The Hornets, led by new manager Slavisa Jokanovic, have grabbed four wins from five games during the festive period, moving up to fifth in the Championship table. Their last result was an impressive 4-2 at Cardiff.
Petr Cech, Loic Remy, Ramires, Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah will all be hoping to be given starting berths while Filipe Luis and Kurt Zouma should also be in contention. Chelsea have not lost to Watford in any competition this century and have been defeated by the Hornets only once in FA Cup history. The match will be re-played if it ends in a draw.
Probable line-ups:
Chelsea: Cech - Azpilicueta, Zouma, Ivanovic, Luis - Mikel, Ramires - Schurrle, Oscar, Salah - Remy
Watford: Gomes - Angella, Cathcart, Bassong, Pudil - Anya, Guedioura, Munari, Tozser - Abdi, Deeney
My prediction: Chelsea to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chelsea win - 2/11 Draw - 7/1 Watford win - 18/1
timidi 9 years ago
This was very easy match for Chelsea and before match we all knew who will go in the next round. Difference between premier league and championship is big and Chelsea is the best team in Premier league so everybody could tell why this match weas easy for Chelsea. I hope that in next round Chelsea will have better opponent...
This was very easy match for Chelsea and before match we all knew who will go in the next round. Difference between premier league and championship is big and Chelsea is the best team in Premier league so everybody could tell why this match weas easy for Chelsea. I hope that in next round Chelsea will have better opponent and maybe we will see great derby..
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Tomas.White 9 years ago
Very easy win for Chelsea. They used their long bench to play with some players who does not have to many chances. Three to zero was very good for them. Willian showed that he is major force for Chelsea, and after his fantastic goal job for his teammates was much easier. Kurt Zuma took his chance, and played very good game...
Very easy win for Chelsea. They used their long bench to play with some players who does not have to many chances. Three to zero was very good for them. Willian showed that he is major force for Chelsea, and after his fantastic goal job for his teammates was much easier. Kurt Zuma took his chance, and played very good game in total.
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VlahovicNovo 9 years ago
This is a match in which everything is known before start.I think it was only a matter with which spilled for Chelsea win.However Watford is the team's with coach Jokanovic are in great shape and shift very well in Championchip.Chelsea may not perform the best team so I think the result will be 2-0 or 3-0 for home team.
This is a match in which everything is known before start.I think it was only a matter with which spilled for Chelsea win.However Watford is the team's with coach Jokanovic are in great shape and shift very well in Championchip.Chelsea may not perform the best team so I think the result will be 2-0 or 3-0 for home team.
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sharpe 9 years ago
I don't think that Jose Mourinho will start most of his first eleven. The easiest thing to say is that Chelsea is going to win this game but miracles hapens, especially in the FA cup.I'm not saying there is gonna be upset in this game but will be nice to see some in the tournament.
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Tomas.White 9 years ago
After terrible loss against Tottenham this is a game where they are going to show all their magnificence and superiority. Chelsea had some surprising losses in december but they will rise. Watford does not have chance in this game, although it is very bad momentum for Chelsea. Mourinho is gonna take the wheel and but them...
After terrible loss against Tottenham this is a game where they are going to show all their magnificence and superiority. Chelsea had some surprising losses in december but they will rise. Watford does not have chance in this game, although it is very bad momentum for Chelsea. Mourinho is gonna take the wheel and but them back to right track.
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