Defending champions Chelsea host Watford in the first Premier League game on Saturday at Stamford Bridge and the lineups have been revealed.
Chelsea team: Courtois; Rudiger, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Morata, Hazard. #CHEWAT pic.twitter.com/VQmlsHLUvq
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 21, 2017
Chelsea are trotting out in their standard 3-4-3 formation, with club record signing Alvaro Morata starting at the apex with Eden Hazard and Pedo flanking him.
Marco Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are the Blues’ wing-backs while Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz and Gary Cahill form up in front of keeper Thibaut Courtois.
🔢 | #watfordfc XI v @ChelseaFC: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenía, Cleverley, Doucouré, Holebas; Pereyra, Deeney (C), Richarlison. pic.twitter.com/mu3o43OVi8
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) October 21, 2017
Watford, who are flying high in fourth place, have made one change to the starting XI that beat Arsenal last week. Captain Troy Deeney comes in to lead the Hornets in place of Andre Gray and the burly striker will have in-form wingers Richarlison and Pereyra for company.
It’s a must-win game for Chelsea, who have lost their last two games on the trot, for leaders Manchester City nine points ahead of them. However, Marco Silva’s Watford will certainly not make life easy for them, especially if one considers their excellent away record in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea: Courtois, Rudiger, David Luiz, Cahill (c), Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro, Morata and Hazard.
Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenía, Cleverley, Doucouré, Holebas, Pereyra, Deeney (c) and Richarlison.
Match starts at 1230 GMT/1700 IST