Chelsea close out their home Premier League season against Watford with a chance to spring into third place. Here are our predictions for the penultimate fixture.
Tottenham did Chelsea another favour on Saturday, and the Blues open the day’s action among teams fighting for (and actively surrendering) the final Champions League places.
Tan Yi Hao: Chelsea 2 – 0 Watford. Chelsea’s final two games of the season will prove decisive in defining the club’s first year under Maurizio Sarri. It has been a season of ups and down – perhaps more downs than ups – but, somehow, Chelsea’s Champions League hopes remains entirely in their own hands. This has to serve some kind of motivation for the Blues.
Watford have been dangerously good this season, but at this stage Chelsea have so much more to play for and the players have to show how much they want to be in the Chelsea next season. This is their time to finally walk the walk. Eden Hazard will score what could be his final goals at Stamford Bridge.
Sourav Mahanty: 1 – 0. I’ll be positive for once and say Chelsea pull out a win here. Watford are a tough opponent but it’s been some time since the Blues tasted a win. With Tottenham’s loss, it might be enough to secure top four. Fingers crossed.
Gabe Henderson: 3 – 1. With Tottenham doing Spursy things once again, the Blues have a strong chance of finishing third. At home for the last time in the Premier League this season, the atmosphere will be rocking. Chelsea has often risen to the occasion in years past, and they will do the same against Watford. Expect an Eden Hazard masterclass and a David Luiz goal.
Karan Saini: 1 – 0. Chelsea should be absolutely focused to win this game. The universe wants the Blues to secure top four. Even if Arsenal and Manchester United win tomorrow, third place would still be Chelsea’s.
I’m hoping and expecting a good fight from the team and just getting done with this fixture. There’s more than enough motivation now. Maurizio Sarri should get his tactics right for once.
Kevin Peacock: 2 – 1. Chelsea need to win this. Watford will be determined to prevent that. Victory takes Chelsea above Spurs into third, so really, no other incentive should be needed.
Whether that can be achieved is another matter entirely. This could be the final Premier League appearance for a number of Chelsea players, most notably Eden Hazard. They’ll want to leave with a victory. Watford, so often spoilers, have an FA Cup final to consider, so they may have one eye on Wembley.
As ever, though, it’s all if’s and but’s. However, it’s a win for me. Eden Hazard to sign off with a goal and N’golo Kante with the other.
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2 – 1. Chelsea have been wobbly as of late. By “as of late” I mean “throughout this season.” However, they should be able to hold their own against Watford, right? Right?
Abhishek Pancholi: 2 – 1. A win in this fixture will propel Chelsea up to third in the table. After the season they’ve had, it is astounding they are anywhere near the Champions League places, let alone top-three. But this is a must-win now. Maurizio Sarri needs to ensure the Blues don’t switch to Spursy Mode at the worst possible time, and just wrap up the points comfortably.
Now watch them slip up and leave themselves with a mountain to climb on the last day of the season. It was ever thus.