Premier League preview and odds: Watford vs Chelsea

Premier League preview and odds: Watford vs Chelsea

August 20 , 2016 15:00pm - Vicarage Road Stadium

Premier League

Two teams with new Italian coaches at the helm will go head-to-head on Saturday as Walter Mazzari`s Watford take on Antonio Conte`s Chelsea at Vicarage Road Stadium.

Old foes reunite for Premier League clash

After duelling for years in Serie A, Walter Mazzari and Antonio Conte will meet as coaches in the Premier League for the first time this weekend as both look to maintain solid starts to the season. Mazzari`s Watford were reduced to 10 men but managed to snatch a draw from a tricky trip to Southampton last weekend, while Conte saw his Chelsea side secure all three points at home to West Ham on Monday night.

The coaches faced each other nine times during their time in Italy with Conte winning four of their encounters, Mazzari triumphing in two and the other three ending in draws.

Watford proved to be tough to beat last season but had to rely on Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo for most of their goals. That pattern could be broken this season by the introduction of a new formation from the Mazzari. The new boss is expected to play with three central defenders and that should mean more support from the midfield when the team commits to going forward.

Meanwhile, Conte can be expected to switch systems from game to game as he did during his time in Serie A and as National team coach. As a result, this should be an intriguing tactical affair that should appeal to budding coaches and fans of Italian football everywhere.

Both teams can be expected to improve on their league positions from last season but it is Chelsea who have the star players at their disposal and have been tipped by many to mount a title challenge.

Team news

The home side will be without Brice Dja Djedje and Isaac Success who are both injured and Ben Watson who is serving a one-match ban.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without Marco Van Ginkel and Kurt Zouma who are both out injured.

Recent form (League)

Watford: DDLDW

Chelsea: WWWLW

Betting odds and tips

Chelsea scraped to win in their opening game against a West Ham side who lacked any invention going forward. Mazarri`s Watford could provide a tougher test on Saturday as they look to make their mark in front of their home crowd.

You can back the Draw at 11/4 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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18/08/2016     © Frixo 2024