Watford will continue their wait to see a “real” Chelsea squad

Last season Chelsea faced Watford in match-weeks 2 and 37, so the Hornets never experienced the full force of Antonio Conte’s title-winners. They will have to wait again, as injuries ravage Conte’s plans and options.

Chelsea defeated Watford in both fixtures last season: 2-1 in mid-August and 4-3 in mid-May. The Hornets were one of the few teams – perhaps the only – to twice encounter John Terry in the Blues’ starting lineup. They were also the only team against whom Michy Batshuayi scored in multiple games.

The first 2016/17 meeting between these two sides came when Antonio Conte was gently segueing his way into the club. He kept many players, formations and positions intact so as not to cause too much disruption. He sent out a 2015-vintage 4-1-4-1, with Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry and Oscar in the starting XI.

Jump ahead 35 match-weeks, and Watford were Chelsea’s first dead rubber match after clinching the title. John Terry was again in the lineup, this time as part of the Long Farewell. He took station in front of Asmir Begovic, and led an XI that included Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake, Nathaniel Chalobah and Kenedy.

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Watford, then, have yet to play Antonio Conte’s best Chelsea. They will not be able to do so on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, either, as Conte currently does not even know who he will have available for his starting XI. He knows for sure that he will not have N’Golo Kante – a part of any best XI – or Victor Moses. He may not have David Luiz or Tiemoue Bakayoko, either.

At his press conference, Conte confirmed that Cesc Fabregas could be his only fully fit central-midfielder. Even if Bakayoko is cleared to play, he will almost certainly be shy of 100%.

This means Watford could again face a young, inexperienced side as they did in the second fixture last season. However, that was a chance to toss some opportunities to little-seen players and rest those who did most of the work to win the title. This would be out of necessity, and in a far less secure point of the season.

When the two sides met in May, Watford were clear of the drop in 17th place. This time, however, Chelsea are looking up at the Hornets, who sit two points ahead in fourth place.

The rest of the Premier League, with the exception of the newly-promoted trio, have some experience facing Antonio Conte’s Chelsea. They know what it is like to be on the other side of his 3-4-3, and what these players can do.

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Watford have momentum and Chelsea’s injuries on their side. Hopefully the Blues have the element of surprise up their sleeve and Conte uses them to show that he can tailor the suit even without all the right materials.