Prediction and odds for the game: Chelsea (2/5) v Watford (7/1

We are backing the home win

When: Saturday, 4th July, Kick-off 20:00

Where: Stamford Bridge

On Saturday night, Chelsea host Watford at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, as the home side look to hold on to their position in the top-four.

Chelsea

The Blues saw a run of five straight wins in all competitions end last time out, as they went down 3-2 at capital rivals West Ham. The defeat coupled with results elsewhere means that Manchester United and Wolves in fifth and sixth place respectively in the league are both just three points adrift of Frank Lampard’s team.

The defeat at the London Stadium also ended a five-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League for the home side, who have recorded four wins in the good run of form. The game did see Chelsea’s continue their prolific run in front of goal, as Lampard’s team has now scored at least two goals in their previous six league outings.

Chelsea will also look to add to their tally of three straight league wins at Stamford Bridge in the top-flight. Not only have the Blues scored at least two goals in that run of straight wins, but they have also scored two or more goals in five of their last six league outings at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have a good recent record in meetings with Watford, having won six of the last seven meetings between the two teams in all competitions.

Watford

The Hornets are in a majorly precarious position in the Premier League table, just a point above the relegation zone. A run of four league games without a victory, including three defeats, has kept Nigel Pearson’s team in big trouble.

Watford’s recent achilles heel has been poor defensive displays, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine matches in the English top-flight. Those poor defensive displays are certainly not characteristic of Pearson’s former teams.

The Hornets have been poor travellers this season in the Premier League. They have won just once in their last ten away games in the English top-flight, losing eight of those ten matches on the road.

A big factor in their away results this season is a struggle for goals. The visitors have failed to score in their last three matches on their travels in the English top-flight. Scoring goals, in general, has been a problem this season in the Premier League, as only Crystal Palace and Norwich have scored fewer goals than the Hornets this season.

Conclusion

Frank Lampard’s team will be highly confident of getting straight back to winning ways in this clash. We are backing the home win, which doesn’t seem terrible odds. We are also backing over 2.5 goals to be scored, as Chelsea are prolific on home soil and the visitors have struggled for clean sheets.

Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 2/5 and/or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Can Chelsea bounce straight back from that defeat last time out against the Hornets?