A new era begins on Boxing Day as Guus Hiddink – and not Jose Mourinho – takes charge of Chelsea when the champions host Watford who are onto a 4 game winning-streak.
The first game of the post Jose Mourinho era on Saturday was an impressive win over Sunderland, but it was one that left fans scratching their heads. The players went at it from the off, going 2-0 up after just 13 minutes. While it was a much needed return to form, it felt like a slap in the face to both Mourinho and the fans.
It seemed like these players had been holding back until the manager was gone, and now they are suddenly able to play to their full potential. What’s the alternative to that idea? As great a servant as Steve Holland has been, it’s hard to see him coming up with a tactical tweak that Mourinho didn’t think of. This win had to have come straight from a mentality shift, which justified the fans’ anger during the game.
Hopefully Hiddink will be more successful and liked than the previous interim coach, as none of this is his fault. He’s simply stepped into an opening bigger than his recent record merits, plus he’s returning to a club of which he has some very fond memories. To do that, he’ll have to make a good start.
Watford have been simply brilliant of late, winning four on the spin in the league. They’re up to seventh, a point off the top four, a position Chelsea can only dream about. Their strike partnership of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo has been tearing through teams, with 17 goals between them.
So, Watford will be coming into this one with nothing to lose and with momentum carrying them very much in the right direction. They could be dangerous and it will take all of Hiddink’s wit to pull off a result here. While this won’t make or break his second spell, it will be a big indicator of how he’s going to handle this misfiring Blues outfit and at the same time please the Stamford Bridge faithfuls along with Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
Chelsea vs Watford: Possible Lineups
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Azpiliceuta; Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar, Willian; Costa
Watford: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas; Jurado, Capoue, Watson, Abdi; Ighalo, Deeney
Chelsea vs Watford: Stats
- The aggregate scoreline in the last four meetings at Stamford Bridge is 16-0 to Chelsea.
- Three of those four games were in the FA Cup, with the Blues most recently winning 3-0 in the third round in January.
- Chelsea have not lost on Boxing Day in 10 matches since 2003 (W6, D4).
- In his previous tenure as manager of Chelsea, Guus Hiddink lost just once in all competitions (W16, D5, L1).
- Hiddink has the best win ratio of managers to have taken charge of four or more Premier League games (84.6%).
- Watford have won four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since April 1987.
- They have won – and kept a clean sheet – in three of their last four home league games.
- The Hornets have won six of their last eight league matches.
Chelsea vs Watford: Prediction
A 2-1 win for the home side.