Chelsea vs Watford as it happened: Champions come from behind to beat Hornets at the death
Re-live all the action from the Premier League clash
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea host London rivals Watford on Saturday as they look to bounce back from a recent dip in form.
Antonio Conte's men have not won in their last three games and currently sit nine points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Chelsea take on an in-form Watford side who have 15 points to their name in fourth.
David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko join Chelsea’s growing injury list while Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl remain absent for Watford.
Follow all the live action below...
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What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday 21 October at Stamford Bridge.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Coverage starts at 11.30am.
It’s a big game for?
Antonio Conte. It says all you need to know about the state of the modern game but the pressure is on for the Italian – especially with Roman Roman Abramovich as your boss. Chelsea have not won in three and are showing signs of a pre-Christmas wobble. The Blues have their hands full against a high-flying Watford team and only a win will be enough to restore some calm and order to the Bridge.
Player to watch?
Eden Hazard. The Belgian failed to impress against Crystal Palace last week but was the hero in blue on Wednesday night as he salvaged his side a precious point at home against Roma. Fans will have their fingers crossed that the right Hazard turns up and, if he does, Watford should be in for a difficult time.
Head-to-head:
Chelsea 4 Watford 3, Premier League, May 2017
Watford 1 Chelsea 2, Premier League, August 2016
Watford 0 Chelsea 0, Premier League, February 2016
Form:
Chelsea: DLLWW
Watford: WDWLW
Odds:
Chelsea to win: 4/11
Draw: 14/1
Watford to win: 17/2
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea vs Watford from Stamford Bridge. Team news to follow shortly.
Chelsea vs Watford team news
Here is how the two teams will line up when the match kicks off in just over an hour's time:
Chelsea XI: Courtois, Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill, Azplicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro, Hazard, Morata
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Ampadu, Zappacosta, Musonda, Willian, Batshuayi
Watford XI: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos, Femenia, Doucoure, Cleverley, Holebas, Pereyra, Deeney, Richarlison
Subs: Karnezis, Wague, Janmaat, Watson, Capoue, Carrillo, Gray
Alan Pardew critiques Watford manager Marco Silva
"He's from a country which seems to breed good managers in Portugal.
"His record has been impressive. From what I've heard he works really well with the players.
"He's got a strong record with two clubs that are not famed for being high achievers in the Premier League.
"But it's a real tough ask here to come to Chelsea and try and get a win with Watford."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Chelsea vs Watford - last five meetings
- Chelsea 4-3 Watford, May 2017 (Premier League)
- Watford 1-2 Chelsea, August 2016 (Premier League)
- Watford 0-0 Chelsea, February 2016 (Premier League)
- Chelsea 2-2 Watford, December 2015 (Premier League)
- Chelsea 3-0 Watford, January 2015 (FA Cup)
Pre-match quotes from Alvaro Morata
"It's an important game for us. We need to come back to winning ways. We need to take three points here at home and give a good performance because we need it.
"I think the attitude of the squad is very good. We have a good mentality, we're training good and now it's time to show it on the field.
"Watford are a very good team. It's a team that is difficult to play against and I think it's a very difficult match for us. They play very well with the ball and they have a very good defence."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Bakayoko: I'm loving life in the Premier League
"I feel settled here. London is a big city and I'm enjoying it here. I have great teammates and the fans are passionately behind me which is something that was missing at Monaco last year. Everything is going well and I'm really happy here
"The Premier League is exactly as I thought it would be. There are plenty of top players and top stadiums with great atmospheres in every game. Anyone can beat anyone. I'm in the league that I expected be playing in and it's a dream for me to be here. I know I'm going to progress and achieve my goals both with my club and at an individual level."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Pre-match quotes from Antonio Conte
"It's a big test (to play against Watford). We know that today we have to play a really good team. For sure this game will be very tough but we are ready to fight and for us, it's our third game in seven days, but it doesn't matter. We have to try to play our football and to win.
"Watford is a really good team, very strong. The game will be very tough for us but we want to play a good game and we want to try to win."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Just under 20 minutes to go now until kick-off. Can Chelsea turn on the style to end their three-match winless run or will Watford deal a further blow to the Blues' title chances?
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