CHELSEA entertain Watford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. Danny Graham (@dannygpunter) shares his thoughts on the Premier League fixture.
Chelsea vs Watford | Saturday 4th July 2020, 20:00 | Sky Sports
The late game on Saturday sees Watford travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea with both sides looking for the three points for very different reasons. Chelsea are in the thick of what seems a four-way fight for two places in next season's Champions League whilst Watford sit precariously just one point above the relegation trapdoor.
Watford have taken just one point from their three games since the restart and that was against an out-of-sorts Leicester side who have struggled to regain the form that saw them as the best of the rest outside the top two earlier in the season.
For their part, Chelsea backed up a come-from-behind win against Aston Villa with an excellent victory against Manchester City but then capitulated against West Ham in midweek.
It all points towards a game of two inconsistent sides who both have tendencies to throw in a stinker now and again but equally have the capability to beat the top teams in the league on a going day.
Ultimately, I expect Chelsea to come out on top but I don’t think it will be particularly pretty and quotes around the 4/9 mark don’t really get the juices flowing in a game which has banana skin written all over it.
Blues' Brazilian ace to make his mark
It’s quite difficult to find an angle to get with Chelsea in this game, especially when I fancy Watford to stay competitive so I have picked out one of their star performers since the restart for our first bet of the evening.
Willian has been in inspired form since the restart scoring three goals and that has added to his best scoring season in a Chelsea shirt. Quotes of 23/10 for 2+ shots on-target with William and Betfair look well worth a stab in a game such as this.
A lot depends on the game situation for our second bet but there is a case to be made for it regardless of whether Watford keep it tight or Chelsea run away with the game. Chelsea have conceded 66% of their goals in the second half of games this season which is the highest ratio in the whole of the Premier League.
There is potential for Watford to be chasing the game by the time the second period is under way so a little tickle on Watford to score in the second-half seems to be nice way to balance our bets here in anticipation of the match remaining competitive. That selection is 6/4 with William Hill and Betfair.
Even if Chelsea do go three or four clear we would only need a late consolation to cop the bet above. In such a scenario Watford would have a vested interest in ensuring their goal difference didn’t take too much of a battering as it could prove vital at the end of the season when the trapdoor opens.
The final selection is essentially a combination of how I feel the match will go. Chelsea will win ugly and Watford will put up their usual spirited display but fall short in the end. A Chelsea win with Both Teams To Score in the match is a nicely priced 9/4 with Betway and Betfair. That looks well worth adding to the portfolio for the game.
Best Bets
Chelsea vs Watford – Willian to have 2+ shots on-target (23/10 William Hill)
Chelsea vs Watford – Watford to score in the second-half (6/4 William Hill)
Chelsea vs Watford – Chelsea to win and Both Teams To Score (9/4 Betway)
