English Premier League Odds, Prediction: Chelsea vs. Watford

Payton Matthews
July 2, 2020

Chelsea is a -249 favourite with Watford at +597 and a draw at +341 on the soccer odds. The over-under is 3.5 goals, with the under a -222 favourite.

Chelsea FC -325
Draw +427
Watford FC +800

Watford Odds and News

Watford is potentially staring at relegation as it sits 17^th in the 20-team EPL with the bottom three sent down. The Hornets are on 28 points with a minus-20 goal differential.

In addition, Watford is yet to win in three matches since the EPL restart. The Hornets drew with visiting Leicester City on June 20, lost 1-0 at Burnley on June 25 and then were dominated 3-1 at home by Southampton last Sunday. Watford technically didn’t even score or have a shot on target on Sunday as Jan Bednarek had a 79^th-minute Southampton own goal.

To try and shake things up, Hornets manager Nigel Pearson made two changes to the starting 11: Roberto Pereyra for Danny Welbeck and Craig Cathcart for Christian Kabasele. Pearson also used João Pedro, Danny Welbeck, José Holebas and Ignacio Pussetto as substitutes. Gerard Deulofeu (cruciate ligament), Daryl Janmaat (knee) and Isaac Success (Achilles) remain out for the Hornets.

Deulofeu has been the big loss as he’s third on the team with four EPL goals and first with five assists despite not playing since February. He won’t be back this season.

Troy Deeney leads Watford with six EPL goals. The Hornets are +225 to score first Saturday and +540 to score in both halves.

Chelsea Odds and News

Chelsea is fourth in the table with 54 points, one behind third-place Leicester City and two ahead of Manchester United and Wolves.

The Blues played Wednesday at West Ham United and lost 3-2 to end a five-game winning streak in all competitions. Substitute Andriy Yarmolenko scored the winner in the 89^th minute as West Ham – which could be relegated — swept Chelsea in league action for the first time since 2002-03. Willian had both Chelsea goals, one on a penalty shot. He’s second on the team with eight goals in EPL action, behind Tammy Abraham’s 13.

American star Christian Pulisic was in question due to injury but played and was arguably the best player on the pitch – he drew the penalty that Willian converted. Chelsea is -270 to score first on Saturday and +113 to score in both halves. Abraham is the -101 favourite to be an anytime goalscorer.

Chelsea won 2-1 at Watford on Nov. 2. Abraham scored in the fifth minute for the visitors and Pulisic in the 55^th. Deulofeu had the Watford goal in the 80^th minute on a penalty shot. Ben Foster almost headed home a late free kick in the final seconds, but Blues netminder Kepa Arrizabalaga was able to barely turn it away as the final whistle blew.