Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger on Radio 5 live

I think it has gone beyond a 'blip' at Chelsea.

Crystal Palace were the better side against them without a doubt and had more spirit. The 3-3 result against Roma hid a multiple of sins and they had more chances. Roma should have won that game easily.

It feels like something that can grow very quickly into something much more dangerous if Chelsea are not careful.

Watford have claimed 15 points from their opening eight games, which is their best-ever Premier League start. Another three points today will lift them into the dizzy heights of third.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have already dropped eight points at home so far this season, that's two more than in the whole of 2016-17.

Chelsea

Today's game is Chelsea's third in seven days and manager Antonio Conte has told Sky Sports it is a "big test" for his side.

"We know today we have to play against a really good team," Conte added.

"For sure this game will be very tough and we have to be ready to fight.

"You have to try always to win. To win is important in every moment of the season.

"They (Watford) are a very strong team. The game will be very tough but we want to play a good game and want to win."

Image source, EPA

Image source, BBC Sport

Chelsea worried me a little bit in their defeat by Crystal Palace last week because they did not really turn up, but I don't think they have suddenly become a bad side.

It is more that, with the squad they have got, they must already know that their chances of defending their Premier League title are slim.

Watford are having a good time of things at the moment, especially away from home, where they have won three and drawn one of their four games.

Those victories came at Bournemouth, Southampton and Swansea; it is asking a lot for them to go to Stamford Bridge and do the same.

Also, unlike in their game against Arsenal last week, Watford will face a team this week who will put their foot in, rather than rolling over and asking for their tummy to be tickled.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Read more from Mark and make your own predictions.

• Chelsea are unbeaten in 12 league and cup matches against Watford (W9, D3)
• Watford's only Premier League win in eight meetings with the Blues (D2, L5) was back in September 1999. Alan Smart scored the game's only goal.
• Watford's last victory at Stamford Bridge was a 5-1 triumph on the final day of the 1985-86 top-flight season.

John Southall
BBC Radio 5 live football reporter

Image source, .

The last time Chelsea lost three league games on the bounce was at the back end of Jose Mourinho’s last spell at Stamford Bridge. Defeat today against Watford and it will be three losses on the trot and the alarm bells will be well and truly ringing.

Is all well at the Bridge? Commentary on 5 live from 12:30 BST with John Murray and ex-Blues winger Pat Nevin.

That's because you didn't have enough width Zac. More balls into the box to feed your 'little and large' strike partnership is what Gateshead needed, I'd suggest.

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger on Radio 5 live

Watford have been totally and utterly fabulous and I enjoy watching them play. They are the surprise team of the season, 100%.

They got beat 6-0 at home against Man City and I actually thought they played quite well! They just played a phenomenal side on the day.

Nobody else looks close to doing that against Watford because they are organised and the manager has them playing in a nice way.

Watford have that spirit in bucket fulls.

Chelsea

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has been speaking to Sky Sports and says "many things" need to change if the Blues are to end their winless run.

"The attitude of the squad is very good but sometimes things cannot go the best way," Morata said.

"We have a good mentality, are training good and now it is time to show it on the field.

"Watford are a very good team. They are very difficult to play against and today is a very difficult match for us."

Watford

Watford manager Marco Silva on starting Troy Deeney at Chelsea: "Deeney gave a good answer in the last 30 minutes against Arsenal and it is a good game for him to start. Andre Gray has done well too and can come on and change a game."

John Southall
BBC Radio 5 live football reporter

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It’s a bright and breezy day at the Bridge, no sign of Brian.

Who would have thought that Watford would go into this game ahead of Chelsea in the Premier League, it’s been a troubled few weeks for the Champions.

The good news for them is that David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko are both fit and both start after the 3-3 draw against Roma. There’s just two changes from that game - Antonio Rudiger and Pedro come in for Andreas Christensen and Davide Zappacosta.

Watford bring back Troy Deeney. I don’t think either of these two sides will be lacking “cojones” this afternoon.

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Football Focus

Tottenham striker Harry Kane believes he is "not far off" winning the Ballon d'Or following his goal scoring form in 2017.

Kane, 24, has been picked on the shortlist for the first time after scoring 43 goals in 37 games for club and country this year.

"Of course it would be a dream one day to win it," the Englishman added.

Watch the clip of Kane in the video above and catch the whole interview on Football Focus on BBC One.

Football Focus

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Dan Walker, along with former England internationals Jermaine Jenas and Matthew Upson, are on your screens right now.

Tune into BBC One, or click the tab on this page, to watch.

Jake Davies: Took Boreham wood to 4 consecutive promotions before signing THE lord Bendtner. Then got relegated...

Chris Haywood: Maltese Valletta FC; started in '11 as amateurs, beat Arsenal 1-0 in 2020 CL final. Moved to Malta last year, now my local team.

Comrade Pupper: Made Burnley Prem winners and CL regulars, had Rashford upfront.

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Fit-again Swansea duo Renato Sanches and Ki Sung-yueng are in contention to replace suspended midfielder Leroy Fer.

However, forward Wilfried Bony has a hamstring problem and will miss the visit of Leicester.

Caretaker Foxes manager Michael Appleton has no new injury concerns for the trip to south Wales.

Defender Robert Huth and midfielder Matty James remain sidelined with ankle and Achilles injuries respectively.

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Stoke midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is a potential absentee with a sprained ankle but Joe Allen could return after suffering concussion on international duty.

Forward Peter Crouch has a back problem and is a doubt along with Bruno Martins Indi, Ryan Shawcross and Tom Edwards.

Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser will have a hamstring injury assessed.

Brad Smith is definitely out with a hip problem and forward Callum Wilson remains sidelined due to a knee injury.

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Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle has been ruled out of playing against former side due to a calf injury.

Paul Dummett, Massadio Haidara, Jack Colback and Rolando Aarons all remain injured and will also miss out.

Crystal Palace must decide whether to stick with Julian Speroni in goal or recall Wayne Hennessey, who missed the win over Chelsea with a calf injury.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be recalled, having been ineligible last weekend, but Christian Benteke remains out.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could rotate his side, having named the same starting line-up for the last three matches.

Sergio Aguero is in contention after recovering from a broken rib, with Gabriel Jesus potentially making way.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has no new injury or suspension worries following last weekend's draw against West Ham.

Midfielder Dean Marney and forwards Jonathan Walters and Nahki Wells all remain injured.

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Huddersfield could welcome back top scorer Steve Mounie, who returned to training this week.

Philip Billing may be unavailable because of an ankle injury, with Aaron Mooy favourite to replace him.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is fit despite being substituted when suffering knee pain against Benfica in midweek.

Michael Carrick again looks set to miss out, while Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo, Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all still sidelined.