Tiemoue Bakayoko... again... gives the ball straight to Richarlison but luckily for the midfielder Gary Cahill comes to the rescue with a brave block.

Richarlison wins Watford a corner. Big Sebastian Prodl wanders into the area but Watford play it short... and make a right mess of it. Chelsea end up getting a free-kick and that's an opportunity wasted.

I do like the look of Watford's front three - pace and power and creativity which they have utilised pretty well on the counter in the opening quarter-of-an-hour. Richarlison, who has just one goal in his last 12 games, charges off down the right but his cross into the box is cleared.

John Southall
BBC Radio 5 live football reporter at Vicarage Road

Watford have started pretty well. Chelsea are wobbling a bit at the back. Bakayoko has given the ball away at the back, not for the first time this season.

But now Chelsea come forward as Willian lashes over from a decent position.

Good chances at both ends, can't see this one ending 0-0.

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea are all over the shop defensively as Willian's poor pass is intercepted by Richarlison, whose shot is deflected behind for a corner. No-one picks up Troy Deeney at the far post but he puts his header wide.

Abdoulaye Doucoure drags a shot wide as he finds a yard of space on the edge of the Chelsea area before Gerard Deulofeu smacks an effort into the sidenetting as Watford come forward come again.

Excellent start by the hosts.

Nii: Am on Bakayoko watch. Please who else is. 5 mins in and he has nearly cost Chelsea a goal.

Steve Howes: baka please look where you pass, hopeless

Tiemoue Bakayoko is almost left red faced by a tame backpass that Gerard Deulofeu intercepts but his first touch is heavy and pushes the ball too close to Thibaut Courtois.

The visitors get away with that one.

Watford getting into Chelsea's faces early. Richarlison just fails to meet a ball into the box, the visitors struggle to clear and Troy Deeney's attempt to scramble an effort at goal sees the ball roll up Gary Cahill's arm. A few appeals for a penalty from the home stands but none of the players make a fuss about it.

Image source, Reuters

David Luiz, making his first start in the Premier League since the end of October, has his first touch of the ball, a fairly routine pass along the back to team-mate Davide Zappacosta.

Steady start to the game from both sides.

Antonio Conte has a massive swig of water. He'll be desperate for a performance and a win tonight.

We're under way.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Chelsea were poor in their defeat by Bournemouth in midweek and we never really saw a performance as bad as that from them under Antonio Conte last season, even before he found a shape that worked.

I think Conte will rally the troops and probably tell them a few home truths.

Prediction:0-2

The players are out on the pitch which means one thing - it's almost time for kick off.

Ian Wright
Former Arsenal & England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

I think if Chelsea got rid of Antonio Conte now, they’d still get someone else in and win the league in a year or two. That’s what they do.

Chelsea aren't bothered about what people think.

Chris Sutton
Ex-Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Antonio Conte can always go back to the recruitment issue. If he’s saying these aren’t his players, that can be his excuse.

I never thought they were strong enough to compete in Europe this season and defend their title.

He’s given his messages to the media and the owner and he hasn’t been backed. I can understand his frustration.

Ian Wright
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 live

On Antonio Conte asking for a statement of support from Chelsea

I know he's said some things and thrown his toys out a little bit. He may have thought ‘now I’ve won the league, I’ve got a bit more power’. He obviously hasn’t got it though. The statement wasn’t a bad thing to ask for.

John Southworth: Giroud obviously did not seek advice from Batshuayi before signing who would have told him Conte prefers an attacking winger up top.

Daniel Cheng: Hmm Giroud on bench...at least Chelsea have a plan b if its not working.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have scored a league-high 13 headed goals this season.

Since his Premier League debut in August 2012, Olivier Giroud has scored an unrivalled 27 headers in the division.

Will he come off the bench to bag another today?