Watford v Chelsea - Preview and possible lineups

Watford: The home side will be without goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes (back), Younes Kaboul (foot), Miguel Britos (ankle), Kiko Femenia, Will Hughes (both hamstring), Isaac Success, Craig Cathcart, and Nathaniel Chalobah (all knee). In addition, new signing Didier Ndong will not feature as he serves the final game of his three-match suspension picked up at host club Sunderland.

Chelsea: The visitors' January signing Ross Barkley looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury with Andreas Christensen (also hamstring) and Alvaro Morata still sidelined. However, other new signings Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri could be included on the bench whilst Willian and David Luiz could start after recovering from injuries.

Watford's new head coach Javi Garcia:

"I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it and I'm going to make sure I enjoy it. I always prepare a match like we'll win. When I'm in the office and I move the players, I win. It's my attitude and I'm positive".

"I'm always stressed and I don't mind what anyone else thinks. I always want to win and it is always the same pressure. It doesn't matter what club we play against."

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte:

The Italian has been speaking about speculation over his future and the club's transfer policy ahead of the game.

"From the start of this season there has been a lot of speculation and rumours around me. The only thing I can tell you now is I still have 18 months of my contract with Chelsea and my will, my desire, is to stay here, continue my work. This is my will. I don't see problems about this".

Did you know?

All three of Chelsea's Premier League goals at Vicarage Road have come in the 80th minute or later - a 92nd-minute winner by Salomon Kalou in 2007, and goals by Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa in 2016.

In addition, the 'Blues' 50-point tally after 25 games this season is 10 fewer than they had won at this stage last season on their way to the title (60).

Form:

Possible lineups:

Watford: Karnezis, Mariappa, Prodl, Kabasele, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney and Richarlison.

Chelsea: Courtois, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Drinkwater, Willian, Pedro and Hazard.