Chelsea
Key man returns as Sarri makes 4 changes | Expected Chelsea line-up vs Watford
Chelsea will be looking to go third in the table with victory over Watford on Sunday. Here is the side I think Maurizio Sarri will select
Chelsea will be looking to go third in the Premier League table with victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Here is the side I think Maurizio Sarri will select for the game:
Goalkeeper: I don’t think there can be too much debate over who will start in goal for Chelsea as Kepa Arrizabalaga is almost certain to keep his place with Willy Caballero once again on the bench.
Defence: Chelsea will continue to be without Antonio Rudiger as the German defender has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury that he sustained during the draw with Manchester United last weekend. Gary Cahill is a doubt with an Achilles injury but even if he’s passed fit, Andreas Christensen should keep his place alongside David Luiz in the middle of the back four.
Cesar Azpilicueta should continue at right-back ahead of Davide Zappacosta but we could see a change at left-back with Marcos Alonso recalled in place of Emerson Palmeiri.
Midfield: Jorginho will continue in the deep lying playmaker role for the Blues on Sunday afternoon while N’Golo Kante is also expected to keep his place in the middle of the park.
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been in fine form lately but he went off with cramp during Chelsea’s 1-1 Europa League semi-final first leg draw at Frankfurt on Thursday night so Sarri might look to make a change.
Ross Barkley is pushing for a recall after being named on the bench last time out but I think Mateo Kovacic may be the man to come in alongside Jorginho and Kante against Watford tomorrow.
Attack: We will see changes in attack as Eden Hazard is set for a recall after being named on the bench in the Europa League clash on Thursday night. The Belgian international should start on the left side of the Chelsea front three.
Pedro scored the all-important away goal in Germany on Thursday so he may have done enough to keep his place meaning Willian will be the man to make way. Callum Hudson-Odoi is on the sidelines with a serious Achilles injury.
Chelsea are likely to freshen things up in attack as Sarri has been rotating his strikers in recent games so Gonzalo Higuain is expected to come in for Olivier Giroud tomorrow afternoon.
Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up:
