Chelsea come in to Monday night’s fixture at Watford a bit banged up and basically without a true centre forward again. Defender Andreas Christensen (hamstring problem) joins striker Alvaro Morata (still nursing a back issue) on the treatment table. Forward Willian and defender David Luiz are both dealing with knocks but should be available for selection.
This could be the match that sees new January transfer window signings Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri make their debuts in a blue shirt, although Giroud is reportedly not quite match fit, so he is not likely to see major minutes.
On the other side, Tom Cleverley is a doubt after limping off in Watford’s goalless draw with Stoke City. Didier Ndong will be serve the final game of his three match ban.
Of course, the real storyline that looms much bigger than this match is the job security of Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. He’s been very vocal about his belief that the board has not given him the war chest that he requires in the transfer market, and that doesn’t sit well with those above him in the pecking order. The Blues falling down to fourth in the table has warmed his seat as well.
Now Conte has spoken up and asked for a public vote of confidence.
Chelsea starting XI prediction: go to this link
Odds: Chelsea FC 8/13, Draw 3/1, Watford 21/4
Prediction: Chelsea FC 2, Watford 1
As always, feel free to post your own Chelsea starting XI prediction, and/or the match final score prediction in the comments section.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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