Diego Costa
Diego Costa has scored three goals and provided two assists in his last four Premier League games for Chelsea Getty

Watford welcome Premier League champions Chelsea to Vicarage Road as both teams look to continue their surge up the table on 3 February.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is at 7.45pm GMT. Live TV coverage is available on BT Sport. Catch the highlights of the match on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.30pm GMT.

Overview

Chelsea will look to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League when they visit Vicarage Road to face Watford, who are four points above the reigning Premier League champions. The Blues are in 14<sup>th place and have been unbeaten in their last seven games, while their opponents are placed 10<sup>th. In their previous encounter on Boxing Day, the Hornets almost pulled off a shock victor at Stamford Bridge, but were denied though a brace from Diego Costa.

Guus Hiddink will have the services of January arrival Alexandre Pato, and despite being under prepared for match conditions, the Brazilian could feature on the bench owing to the Blues' lack of options in the strikers department. Loic Remy is out with a calf injury, while Falcao also remains sidelined.

Odion Ighalo
Watford striker Odion Ighalo has scored seven goals in his last seven appearances at Vicarage Road Getty

Watford, meanwhile, have won just one of their last six, which includes four losses. Quique Sanchez Flores will be keen to maintain their winning run against the champions and all three points could see them move up to seventh place just behind West Ham United. January signing Mario Suarez is available and could make his debut for the Hornets. Watford last beat Chelsea in 1999 and have since drawn or lost the next nine meetings.

What managers say

Guus Hiddink [on John Terry]: "Well, of course (I am surprised), first of all I respect but I don't want to say respect... I like him very much the way he's playing and that he's committed to the team. He will be, I can assure you, because we've had some conversations in the last few days about all kinds of things in football. It was said by John and he's entitled to make up his mind, that's true, given his contract expires at the end of the season. But, on the other hand, the club still want to have the dialogue and to have an open door still. It was a bit surprising, but he's entitled to do so."

Quique Sanchez Flores: "Our expectation is very high; to be competitive and to play well, to make a balance with Chelsea. We know they have the possibility to improve a lot because they've got Willian, [Diego] Costa, [Eden] Hazard, Oscar, [Nemanja] Matic, [John Obi] Mikel and [Cesc] Fabregas. They have amazing players, and with their reaction, of course they have the possibility to achieve amazing targets. But our work at the moment is to be confident, try to make life very difficult for Chelsea on the pitch -- this is our work. We have our tools, we have our idea and our plan."

Betting odds (bwin)

  • Chelsea to win: 19/20
  • Draw: 12/5
  • Watford to win: 31/10

Team news

Chelsea

  • Injured: Remy
  • Doubtful: Willian, Pato
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Azpiliceuta; Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.

Watford

  • Injured: Nathan Ake (not eligible)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas; Jurado, Capoue, Watson, Abdi; Ighalo, Deeney.

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