WATFORD, Sporting Alert – Guus Hiddink starts the same Chelsea team that beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the last Premier League game for today’s clash with Watford.
This means Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill remain as substitutes, with the former expected to play some part in the game after his impressive performance in the 5-1 win against MK Dons in the FA Cup.
In the meantime, Chelsea fans will have to wait for the debut of the club’s new recruit Pato because the Brazilian doesn’t make the squad for today’s game.
Fellow new recruit Matt Miazga has also been left out of the match-day squad, while John Terry partners Kurt Zouma in defence.
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores made two changes from the last Premier League match against Newcastle United, as Sebastian Prodl and Jose Holebas come in for Nathan Ake, who is not eligible to face his parent club and Miguel Britos, who was left out of the squad due to illness.
There is good news though for the fans, as new signings Mario Suarez and Nordin Amrabat are both on the bench.
Last time out in the English Premier League, Chelsea narrowly beat 10-man Arsenal 1-0 and Guss Hiddink’s team will be hoping to build on that performance.
Watford edged 2-1 by Newcastle in its previous meeting in the league, but have dropped four of the past five in the EPL overall.
Chelsea are currently sitting 14th in the table standings on 28 points, but can move closer to the top 10 at the end of the day with a win.
Watford, in the meantime, can go 7th in the points standings at the end of round 24 with a victory.
The Hornets are currently sitting 10th with 32 points.
Watford Team: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Matic, Willian, Fabregas, Oscar, Diego Costa. Subs: Begovic, Cahill, Baba Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Traore, Hazard
Chelsea Team: Gomes, Paredes, Prodl, Cathcart, Holebas, Behrami, Watson, Capoue, Jurado, Deeney, Ighalo. Subs: Pantilimon, Nyom, Anya, Suarez, Guedioura, Abdi, Amrabat
