Watford v Chelsea: Hornets won't shake off the Blues

Watford 6.20 v Chelsea 1.66; The Draw 4.10
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Pragmatic Watford break unwelcome streak

Watford claimed their first point under their new manager Javi Gracia in midweek and the way they did it could prove significant in their battle to avoid a relegation fight.

The Hornets' clean sheet in their 0-0 draw at Stoke was their first in the Premier League after eleven consecutive matches in which they conceded. Watford gave a resolute defensive display in which they showed that they were not above using extremely pragmatic tactics, at a time when they badly need to turn around their form.

During the match with Stoke, the ball was only in play for 42 minutes, which is the lowest amount for any game played in the Premier League this season. Watford used time-wasting tactics to their advantage and it's fair to assume that they might take a similarly conservative approach when they host Chelsea.

Gracia's options have increased with signings of Gerard Deulofeu, Didier Ndong and Dodi Lukebakio, but Miguel Britos, Craig Cathcart, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Cleverley, Femenia, Heurelho Gomes, Tommy Hoban, Will Hughes, Younes Kaboul and Molla Wague are all injured, while the new signing Ndong is serving the last match of a three game ban which he picked up at his former club Sunderland.

Chelsea unravelling as Conte era nears inevitable conclusion

Chelsea suffered a surprise 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Wednesday night, in what might be their worst result during the Antonio Conte reign.

Bournemouth are an improving side, but that's no excuse for Chelsea losing so heavily at home, on an evening where a Tottenham win saw them move to within two points of the Blues in fourth place.

Chelsea lacked presence in attack after Michy Batshuayi moved on-loan to Borussia Dortmund and Olivier Giroud was not signed in time to replace the injured Alvaro Morata. With Eden Hazard playing as a striker, Ross Barkley looking well off the pace and the injured Andreas Christensen badly missed in defence, it was the sort of disjointed Chelsea performance not seen since the fateful season in which Jose Mourinho lost control of the dressing room just months after winning the title.

The decline under Conte this season has been less dramatic, yet you sense that it will end in the same way. Conte has continually complained about the lack of depth in Chelsea's squad and they certainly look weak without the injured Christensen, Emerson, David Luiz, Morata and Willian.

Chelsea can get back to winning ways

Chelsea are the 1.66 favourites, with the draw at 4.10 and Watford at 6.60.

Despite Chelsea's problems, they are worthy favourites against a Watford side with only one win in their last twelves games. With Giroud likely to be making his debut, Chelsea should be better balanced than they were against Bournemouth, making the price for an away win quite appealing.

Watford may have just kept a clean sheet, but they have now gone three games without scoring a goal. Chelsea are 2.84 to win to nil.

Defensive Watford will frustrate Chelsea

Over 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.89, with unders at 2.06.

It's a surprise to see under 2.5 goals as the outsider considering that Watford are likely to play defensively, having picked up a valuable point at Stoke. Chelsea last three matches may have seen three or more goals, yet their previous last four matches saw unders come in and included three goalless draws.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Chelsea to win to nil at 2.84

Back under 2.5 goals at 2.06