Floodgates to swing open as Chelsea host Watford on Boxing Day
Published:
There have been eight goals in the last two meetings between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge, with all of those going the way of the Blues.
Although the two clubs are set to clash in the Premier League on Boxing Day, both those matches were FA Cup ties, with the last of those arriving in January.
On that occasion Chelsea progressed with ease after a 3-0 victory at the Bridge, following a horrible day for the Hornets in 2010 when the Blues romped to a 5-0 triumph.
In fact, punters have to go back to 1999 to find the last time Watford managed a victory over their fellow London club and that arrived at Vicarage Road. The Hornets’ last triumphed at Stamford Bridge all the way back in 1986, when Graham Taylor oversaw a famous 5-1 rout down the King’s Road.
Jumping to the present day and there is reason to believe that goals could be about to fly in when the sides clash in the top flight for the first time since 2007.
Whether he was rightly or wrongly expelled, Chelsea’s acrimonious split from manager Jose Mourinho has immediately had a revitalising effect.
With former interim manager Guus Hiddink in the stands ahead of taking the reins properly for this fixture, Chelsea’s much-maligned players managed to turn the tide with a 3-1 win over visiting Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Quique Sanchez Flores’ Watford side continued their exceptional form by punishing a lacklustre Liverpool 3-0 at Vicarage Road to ensure they head into this showdown chasing a fifth consecutive league win; a pretty unthinkable feat before the start of the campaign.
Adding the rich history of goals when these sides draw swords, all roads appear to lead Ladbrokes customers towards backing overs in the total goal markets.
Over 3.5 total goals looks a great place to start the bidding at 15/8, but sticking the neck out a little further on over 4.5 is far more rewarding at 9/2.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter?Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
