Chelsea vs. Watford Predictions, Odds, Picks and Premier League Betting Preview – August 20, 2016

Chelsea vs. Watford Betting Preview

Where: Vicarage Road — Watford, Hertfordshire

When: Saturday, August 20, 10:00 AM ET

Line: Chelsea -155 at Watford +360, tie +250; total: 2.5 – view all Premier League lines

TV Broadcast: USA

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Betting on Chelsea (-155)

It may be too early to say, but Chelsea appears on track for a major bounce-back season. The team’s season-opener versus West Ham United at Stamford Bridge last weekend could attest to this, as the Blues came away triumphant, 2-1, and began the Antonio Conte era on a strong note.

Throughout the match, the former Premiere League champions showed improvements on defense and on offense as the pair of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard assured its club a win by scoring one goal apiece. The former’s goal, in particular, was the most crucial one as it broke the 1-1 deadlock with just a minute remaining in regulation to eventually seal the win.

So now, the Blues aim to display the same effort and determination in this Saturday’s road date with Watford. Both squads split points in both meetings last season, ending up with a scoreless draw at Vicarage Road in February and a 2-2 stalemate at the Bridge in December, which was made possible by two scores from Costa.

Costa seems already well-adjusted in playing under Conte’s new system. And if that’s indeed the case, you can expect the versatile striker, who plays for the Spanish national squad despite being born in Brazil, to continue making an impact against the Hornets, and hopefully give his new team manager his second win. Costa, once again, led Chelsea in goals (12) along with six assists last season.

Betting on Watford (+360)

Watford will have a lot on its plate when it welcomes powerhouse club Chelsea to Vicarage Road this coming Saturday.

The Hornets were fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw in their opener against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium after midfielder Ben Watson received a straight-red card, which forced Watford to play one-man down in the final 14-plus minutes of the match. And what’s more, the team will have to play the visiting Blues without his services.

That being the situation, head coach Walter Mazzarri will likely set up more plays to provide more opportunities and touches for French midfielder Etienne Capoue. He was pretty impressive in the opener versus the Saints, converting the first goal of the match at just the ninth minute via an assist from resident striker Troy Deeney.

On defense, meanwhile, the Hornets looked relatively solid in their first game, preventing Southampton from scoring after Watson’s ejection in the final stretch of the second half. But of course, it’ll be easier said than done to repeat that same effort especially against a group that’s far more experienced, cohesive and loaded like Chelsea.

Watford is winless in its previous five top-flight matches (0-2-3) with Chelsea.

Writer’s Prediction

Chelsea (-155) continues to impress with a 2-0 win.

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