Ranieri wants to upset Chelsea
Chelsea travel to Vicarage Road looking to get back to winning ways against Watford after their draw against Manchester United. The Blues have been very solid on the road so far this season and that should not change in this away game.
The Blues have been particularly convincing defensively so far. Chelsea are an absolute top team and that’s why the betting odds before the match Watford vs Chelsea also show that a win for the visitors is very likely. However, this is not yet set in stone before the match.
Because even if not everything is going according to plan yet, Claudio Ranieri has breathed new life into the Hornets. Whether it’s enough to upset the Blues will be seen on Wednesday night at 8:30pm, when the game kicks off.
Watford – Statistics & current form
Watford FC are playing an average season at best, but are currently ahead of the relegation places in the Premier League. There has already been a change of coach this season, with Claudio Ranieri currently on the sidelines. The Italian wants to annoy Chelsea FC and try to achieve a respectable success with Watford.
That won’t be easy, though, because ahead of the Watford vs. Chelsea match, the odds show relatively clearly that the hosts are in the underdog role.
That makes the balance of power relatively clear before this game. Especially as Watford have not had good experiences with Chelsea when it comes to the last duels. The Blues have won seven of the last eight games against Watford, which is a very good series.
Watford: How should the Chelsea defence be cracked?
Of course, a big question is how Watford are going to pose problems to Chelsea’s bearish defence. In recent weeks, however, they have shown good approaches, beating Manchester United 4-1, among others. However, there is also a downside, as Watford lost 4-2 to Leicester last time out, for example. This illustrates the two faces: on a good day you can do a lot, on a bad day you invite the opponent too often.
Watford, it is also worth noting, have not been able to keep a “zero” in defence in any of the last 23 league games. This record makes it clear where the problems lie. Offensive approaches are often not enough when the defence is shaky. Especially as it is difficult to score against a team like Chelsea with these approaches.
The defensive problems in the run-up to the game mean that our value tip before the Watford vs. Chelsea match is that the visitors will win the game by more than a goal difference. On a good day, the Blues are definitely capable of doing that.
Predicted line-up of Watford:
Bachmann – Femenia, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Masina – Sissoko, Cleverley, Tufan, King, Sarr – Dennis
Last matches played by Watford:
Premier League
11/28 2021 – Leicester 4 – 2 Watford
11/20 2021 – Watford 4 – 1 Manchester United
11/07 2021 – Arsenal London 1 – 0 Watford
10/30 2021 – Watford 0 – 1 Southampton
10/23 2021 – Everton 2 – 5 Watford
Chelsea – Statistics & current form
Chelsea are having a fantastic season and can only complain about the draw against Manchester United last time out because their chance-taking was very poor. Before that, the Blues had a strong 4-0 win over Juventus in the top flight. Thomas Tuchel has very clearly improved the reigning Champions League winners in many facets and breathed a distinctive style into this team, which also works very well with players 15-20. Rotation is therefore not a problem, even absences can be coped with.
Chelsea have won their last four away games in the league without conceding a goal, which alone makes them clear favourites for this game. The good record against Watford was also mentioned, which reinforces this. Chelsea are currently top of the table, one point ahead of Manchester City and two ahead of Liverpool. In the Champions League, everything is also in order, so coach Tuchel can go into the traditionally critical month of December with many games very confidently.
Due to the tight league situation, however, slip-ups are forbidden. Chelsea have a very good chance of winning the Premier League title with the bookmakers, but the competition is not sleeping and is very stable itself.
Chelsea are banking on tremendous stability
Characteristic of Chelsea is not their offence, which can cause a sensation with its crushing dominance, but their defence. The Blues have conceded only five goals this season, the best in the Premier League. The only supposed bad omen is that Chelsea have failed to win five consecutive league games on Wednesdays. But that is more of a marginal note.
At Watford, too, Chelsea will place a lot of emphasis on stability and game control. If they succeed in dominating the opponent from the start, the Blues will have the necessary tools to win the game. Therefore, before the match Watford vs Chelsea our tip is that not both teams will score.
Predicted Chelsea line-up:
Mendy – Christensen, Rudiger, Chalobah – James, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso – Ziyech, Mount, Lukaku
Last matches played by Chelsea:
Premier League
11/28 2021 – Chelsea London 1 – 1 Manchester United
Champions League Grp. H
11/23 2021 – Chelsea London 4 – 0 Juventus Turin
Premier League
11/20 2021 – Leicester 0 – 3 Chelsea London
11/06 2021 – Chelsea London 1 – 1 Burnley
Champions League Grp. H
11/02 2021 – Malmö FF 0 – 1 Chelsea London
Watford – Chelsea Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
21 of the 37 direct duels between these two teams have gone to Chelsea. The Blues therefore lead the direct comparison, while Watford have only won ten games so far. Six games have ended in draws, and with 77:49 Chelsea are also well ahead in terms of goals scored.
Watford – Chelsea Tip
Watford are the underdogs but will try to cause Chelsea problems. The Blues can handle it though, are very solid, have the best defence in the league and a brilliant away record. On top of that, Watford are also something of a favourite opponent.
The focus is on Chelsea’s compactness. Therefore, our tip before the match Watford vs Chelsea is that not both teams will score. If the game goes normally, then that will also lead to an away win for the Blues – the fifth in a row to nil.
