Premier League: Chelsea Can Avoid a Hornet’s Sting

Watford vs Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel takes his Chelsea team to North London on Wednesday, as they plan to get back to winning ways in their Premier League clash away to Watford.  

The Hornets are back in the top flight after a year in the second tier and are hovering above the drop zone having picked up some vital and unexpected wins. But with their lead at the top of the table down to a single point, the Blues will head to Vicarage Road with a clear vision to take all three points back home.

Chelsea were frustrated in a home draw to Manchester United on Sunday, when they dominated from start to finish, having 67 per cent of the ball and firing in 24 shots to United’s three. But they were stung by a breakaway Jadon Sancho goal and that’s the only way we can realistically expect them to come unstuck in Watford.

Claudio Ranieri’s team returns home on the back of a 4-2 defeat Leicester City and it is obvious that while Watford can score goals, they can be opened up all too easily.

They may give Chelsea a scratch now and then, but I don’t expect the Hornets to give their illustrious visitors any blues.     

Talking Points

Ranieri meets another old friend

When the Tinkerman stepped out at the KingPower Stadium he received a standing ovation from fans who will always thank him for leading their side to Premier League glory in 2016. Then Leicester saw off his new charges in some style. Ranieri’s last job in the Premier League lasted just 17 games when he managed Fulham in 2019, winning just three times before suffering the sack. But his first job in England was at Stamford Bridge, as manager of Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, before he was replaced by Jose Mourinho. He’s held in some affection by Blues fans too, having overseen the early growth of the club in the Roman Abramovich era, but the West London club is now virtually unrecognisable from the one he left.

It’s no surprise that the Watford vs Chelsea betting odds are backing an away win but, since his arrival as head coach, Ranieri has already picked up two eye-catching results. The Hornets beat Manchester United 4-1 to end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time as Red Devils boss and they also won 5-2 away to Everton, though Rafa Benitez avoided the bullet! 

It was a stunning victory on Merseyside as Joshua King completed a hat-trick in a late flurry of goals after Watford entered the final 15 minutes 2-1 down. The Norwegian striker has scored five this season and has a new lease of life having been released by Everton at the start of this campaign. His co-forwards Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis have also scored five goals each but both are doubtful and that is a blow to Ranieri. He’s at odds of 8.20 to beat his old club or 4.84 to pick up a point and his best, though tiny hope is to win a high-scoring match.     

Lukaku set to start for Chelsea

While the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United on Sunday, there was good news for Chelsea fans who saw the return of Timo Werner and a 15-minute cameo from Romelu Lukaku. Tuchel is still without midfield ace Ngolo Kante and wing-back Ben Chilwell, and we could see a return for Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount. 

At 1.31 to win the Blues should come through and Lukaku could be the key man. Even though Watford beat Manchester United at Vicarage Road they lost four and drew one of their previous five at home, where they have already shipped 12 goals. That’s the sort of stat which won’t have escaped the Belgian’s attention.   

History

Chelsea have won 14 of their last 19 meetings with Watford, including each of the last four. When the Hornets were relegated in the 2019/20 season Chelsea won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and 2-1 at Vicarage Road with goals from Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic.    

The Blues have been better on the road than at home this term, winning five and drawing just one, while at home they have recently been held by both Burnley and the Red Devils.

Betting Tip

	Watford vs Chelsea	Chelsea Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.05
	December 02, 03:30 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP football stats team have picked Watford as one of the clubs to go down, at odds of 1.83 and alongside Norwich City and Newcastle United. The Hornets’ Premier League 2021 results have been erratic, with four wins, eight defeats and a solitary draw. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea are second-favourites to win the league, at a price of 4.00, behind hot favourites Manchester City. There is a gulf in class between these two teams and I expect the Blues to be clinical on Wednesday.

With both teams in good goal-scoring form and Watford’s leaky defence, over 2.75 goals at odds of 1.94 is also worth a closer look.

 

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