Eden
Hazard could returnfor Chelsea as Guus Hiddink begins his second spell in
charge of the club with a home match against in-form Watford.
Hazard has not played since limping off with a hip injury in the 2-1 defeat
to Leicester on December 14 - Jose Mourinho's last game in charge.
However, the Belgium international has returned to training and could
feature at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to win back-to-back league games
for the first time this season.
Watford have won their last three in a row and possess two of the hottest
strikers in the league in Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney.
The pair have helped the Hornets climb up to seventh in the table and they
could go into the top four with victory over Chelsea.
Team news
With Hazard potentially making his Chelsea return, Radamel Falcao is the
only definite absentee for Chelsea.
Watford will have to make one change from the side which beat Liverpool last
weekend as Nathan Ake is on loan from the Blues so is ineligible. Ikechi
Anya could return to the side.
Defenders Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) remain sidelined
through injury.
Opta stats
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Watford in all
competitions, winning eight.
the Blues have not lost in the Premier League on Boxing Day since 2003,
winning six and drawing four matches since then.
Watford have won just two of their last 13 league matches played on Boxing
Day (D4 L7).
Ighalo has scored in four successive Premier League games, equalling
Deeney's record for Watford earlier in the season.
If he scores in this match, Ighalo will be the first ever player to score in
five successive top-flight matches for Watford.
In his previous tenure as manager of Chelsea, Guus Hiddink lost just once in
all competitions (P22 W16 D5 L1).
Merson's prediction
Watford absolutely took Liverpool apart last week, and they are going along
brilliantly. Chelsea played quite well against Sunderland, but it was a
couple of days too late for Mourinho.
I've been so impressed with the Hornets. Ighalo and Deeney have been great,
but I think this might be a game too far for them.
John Terry and Kurt Zouma or Terry and Gary Cahill, whatever the
combination, it is a lot different to anything Liverpool could put out at
the back.
I expect Chelsea to win at home, and I'd be shocked if they didn't despite
Watford's good form.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
top