Premier League preview and odds: Chelsea vs Watford

Published on: 21/12/2015

Premier League preview and odds: Chelsea vs Watford

December 26, 2015 15:00pm - Stamford Bridge

Premier League

Chelsea will begin life under new boss Guus Hiddink on Boxing Day when they go head-to-head with form side Watford at Stamford Bridge in the Barclays Premier League.

Hiddink hired to steady Chelsea ship

Following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Chelsea have turned to former boss Guss Hiddink to try and salvage something from their disastrous season. The club are hovering just three points above the relegation zone with nearly half the season gone and have all but given up on European qualification.

In their first match without the Portuguese boss, they strolled to a 3-1 victory over Sunderland - their first league win since November. They now face a team that has the second best record in the league over the last eight games.

Watford in touch with Euro places

Newly-promoted Watford are second only to fellow party spoilers Leicester City in the Premier League form table. Over the last eight games, they have won six and lost two, and now sit in seventh place just a point behind fourth-ranked Tottenham.

Coach Quique Sanchez Flores has adapted quickly to life in the Premier League and has turned a hastily-assembled squad of players into a very competitive unit. A win at the weekend could propel them into the top four.

In their most recent match, they cruised past Liverpool on home soil thanks to goals from Nathan Ake and Odion Ighalo. They now face the short trip across London to face the reigning champions. The Hornets will be boosted by the fact that they have won four of their last six away games.

Team news

Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Radamel Falcao are both doubtful for this weekend`s game.

Meanwhile, the visitors could be without the injured duo of Sebastian Prodl and Joel Ekstrand.

Recent form (League)

Chelsea: WLLDW

Watford: WWWWL

Betting odds and tips

Chelsea will be hoping that normal service can be resumed at the Bridge in time to avoid a relegation scrap. However, Watford are a match for anyone right now and will make life for Guss Hiddink on his return. The visitors can be backed at a massive 7/1 with Bet365. Alternatively, the Watford-Draw Double Chance is also great value at 2/1, also with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 21/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (21/12/2015 14:24:24) but are subject to change.