90min

Watford predicted lineup vs Chelsea - Premier League

By Jude Summerfield

Ranieri is looking for his third league win with Watford
Ranieri is looking for his third league win with Watford / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
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Watford continue their fight against relegation when they host title hopefuls Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The Hornets have won two of their first six Premier League games under Claudio Ranieri, most recently losing 4-2 to Leicester on the Italian's return to the King Power Stadium.

They have a number of injuries to contend with, making the upcoming clash with the Blues an even tougher proposition than it already is.

Here's the side they may field...

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Daniel Bachmann
Bachmann will start with Ben Foster absent / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

Daniel Bachmann (GK) - Ben Foster will be absent until 2022 through injury, so Bachmann should get an extended run in the Watford goal.

Kiko Femenia (RB) - Has been at Watford since 2017, with this season being his fourth in the Premier League.

Craig Cathcart (CB) - A mainstay in the Hornets' defence for over seven years. Pops up with a vital goal every now and then.

Christian Kabasele (CB) - The two-time Belgium international has only featured three times in the Premier League this season, but could come into the starting XI following William Troost-Ekong's poor performance at Leicester.

Danny Rose (LB) - Looked like a great bit of business earlier in the campaign but poor performances against Liverpool and Arsenal have seen his stock drop. May start if Adam Masina isn't passed fit.

2. Midfielders

Moussa Sissoko
Sissoko is a regular starter / Malcolm Couzens/GettyImages

Cucho Hernandez (RM) - The 22-year-old has scored one and assisted another in his first Premier League season. Previously played for Getafe, Mallorca and Huesca in La Liga.

Tom Cleverley (CM) - Now approaching veteran status at 32. A regular in Watford's midfield and scored four times in the Championship last term.

Moussa Sissoko (CM) - Brought his bundling style to Vicarage Road in the summer. Has already started 11 league games for his new club.

Ozan Tufan (CM) - Watford are yet to see the best of Tufan. Earned a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder with Fenerbahce but yet to get his first strike for his new club.

Josh King (LM) - One of Watford's biggest attacking threats, especially in the absence of Ismaila Sarr. Got a fabulous hat-trick at Everton and has scored twice in his last two games.

3. Forward

Joao Pedro
Pedro could get a rare start / Charlie Crowhurst/GettyImages

Joao Pedro (ST) - Came on for the second half of the Leicester game. Has made only one league start this season but may get an opportunity here with Emmanuel Dennis struggling for fitness.

You can read 90min's preview of Watford vs Chelsea here.

For more from Jude Summerfield, follow him on Twitter!

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