Chelsea are losing ground at the top of the table as they failed to defeat Leicester City at home and are now level on points with Arsenal in the race for the top 4. Next, they travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford who are coming on the back of a good win against West Ham United.
The Blues started off well and were looking like the primary challengers for the title along with Manchester City and Liverpool, but slowly it’s becoming clear that they are fighting for the top four at the moment. Having a misfiring striker up front and too much dependence on Eden Hazard is costing Maurizio Sarri’s side dearly.
Team News
Andreas Christensen is likely to be unavailable because of a hamstring issue. Alvaro Morata is also doubtful after he suffered a minor injury. Victor Moses is also a doubt as he is yet to recover from a knock. However, the winger was unlikely to play any part even if he was fit.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Watford
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
The world’s costliest goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga hasn’t exactly lived up to his billing but has shown enough signs that he has the potential to be a top goalkeeper. He should start in goal. Sarri is once again going to prefer his trusted defensive pair of Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz.
Marcos Alonso has been poor in the past few games, but he is set to keep his place in the left back role. The Spaniard needs to pick his game up on the defensive front. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta is set to start from the right to complete the tried and tested back four.
Midfield
Sarri has continued using Jorginho in the deepest role in midfield, and we expect him to keep his place. Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic have been rotated heavily, so we expect Barkley to start this tie after Kovcic started the weekend game against the Foxes. Ruben Loftus Cheek should get the go-ahead of Ngolo Kante in midfield as the Frenchman often struggles to link up play further up the pitch.
Attack
Eden Hazard should drop in his more comfortable place on the left wing spot after starting as a false 9 in the last few encounters. Willian has been sub-par for the most parts this season, and Pedro should be starting over him on the right. We expect Olivier Giroud to come back in the lineup to play as a target man up front.
