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Predicted 3-4-2-1 Chelsea XI to face Watford – Can the Blues bridge the gap from Liverpool? 

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Learn the predicted lineup of Chelsea to take on Watford in this article. (Credit: Imago Images)

Predicted Chelsea line-up to take on Watford in the Premier League 

One team would be more pressurised in the Chelsea vs Watford match than the other. After a successful opening, Chelsea struggled to hold their consistency and fell from the Premier League title. Now standing in the third position, they don’t have the fear of losing the top-four spot, but they would be pressured to know that many people including the new owner would be watching their performance in the final game with great interest.                     

Watford have nothing much to lose as they are already in the relegation zone and don’t have any chance of getting out of the hole. So, they might try to showcase a fighting spirit in their last Premier League fixture. After losing the last 4 games in 5 fixtures, they don’t have much chance in front of Chelsea but there are some underdog stories that we all know that happened in previous seasons.                 

Team News

Kai Havertz remains out of action due to a thigh injury and it is believed that the German star would miss the last game as well. Callum Hudson Odoi has been out since February due to Achilles tendon problems. Timo Werner has missed the last 21 Premier League games and doesn’t seem he would be making a comeback in the final game either. After refusing to come on against Liverpool in the FA Cup final, Andreas Christensen has made it clear that he has no intention to feature for Chelsea and is only focused on an away move.        

Chelsea players celebrating. (Credit: Getty Images)
Chelsea players celebrating. (Credit: Getty Images)

Probable Chelsea XI

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Edouard Mendy (GK)

Even though Edouard Mendy couldn’t help Chelsea get through the line in the FA Cup final, he remains one of the best keepers in the world and is expected to be seen between the sticks in the final game.      

Antonio Rüdiger (CB)

Antonio Rüdiger’s departure seems inevitable, but considering the German star has maintained a highly professional approach, he might be eyeing an emphatic farewell in the last home game.      

Thiago Silva (CB)

Rüdiger’s departure means Silva would become the sole leader of the backline. Even though it’s a massive task, the Brazilian might be comfortable doing this as he has a lot of experience in the field.             

Trevoh Chalobah (CB)

As long as Chelsea doesn’t sign a new centre-back, Trevoh Chalobah has to realise that he would have some massive tasks in the next season.                    

Reece James (RM)

Reece James has given high-level performances in this campaign, which has boosted his chances to get a regular spot in the England team.     

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM)

N’Golo Kanté wasn’t as effective as expected against Liverpool. Considering the Frenchman just returned from injury, he might not be risked in the final game, giving him the chance for Loftus-Cheek to shine.            

Jorginho (CM)

As Jorginho’s future remains up in the air, the Italian might be eyeing to collect some good memories from the last Premier League fixture.             

Can Chelsea secure the win against Watford? (Credit: Getty Images)

Marcos Alonso (LM)

Alonso has wonderfully covered up for the injury of Chilwell. The Spaniard’s top performances in this term suggest that he is still worthy of being a quality backup in the coming season.                

Mason Mount (RW)

The way Mason Mount produced top-notch performances in this campaign, suggests that he is growing at a rapid rate and could hit world-class levels in a few years’ time.  

Christian Pulisic (LW)

Christian Pulisic has given some good performances in the second half of the season, which might not cover up for his disapproving overall output, but it should be enough for him to stay at the club next season.              

Romelu Lukaku (ST)

The 29-year old has a lot to prove in the next season. Winning the hearts of the fans wouldn’t be easy for him, but he can get the energy boost for the next term if he provides a great performance in the final game.                

Chelsea VS Watford prediction

Playing at home, Chelsea would have all the cards in their hands. Now it wud be upto the players to end the season on a high note. Their overall performance in this term hasn’t met the expectation, but the manager would look to take some positivity to the next campaign. Watford on the other hand remains in complete misery and might not be strong enough to beat the Blues in their own backyard. Hence, we are going for a 2-0 win for Chelsea. 

If you find our predictions useful, place your bets with as Chelsea are placed at 1/6 odds to beat Watford while the visiting team have the odds at 16/1.

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Chelsea Women’s Star Voices Out Against WSL in the Wake of ACL Crisis Following Katie Reid’s Injury

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Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh.

Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh has issued a powerful call for governing bodies to address the mounting ACL crisis plaguing women’s football after Arsenal teenager Katie Reid became the seventh WSL player to rupture her anterior cruciate ligament this season.

Read More: Ailing Katie Reid Receives Words of Consolation From Arsenal Loanee Suffering From Same Injury

Keira Walsh voices Out Against WSL: “People Higher Up Need to Listen”

Walsh delivered her stark assessment ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash, demanding decision-makers take player welfare seriously. “Maybe sometimes we do play too many games in a congested fixture schedule. There’s not enough recovery time,” the 28-year-old stated bluntly. “You can do the research, but ultimately you need to listen to the ones going through it and how we can best find the solutions.”

Teams like Arsenal and Chelsea who advanced deep into last season’s Champions League played over 50 matches throughout the year. With Euro 2025 also taking place during summer, the world’s best players received minimal rest before diving straight back into another grueling campaign.

Sometimes as players you do worry about it,” Walsh continued. “You still want to play those games. But sometimes people higher up do need to listen to what we’re saying as players.”

Crisis Deepens Across the WSL

Reid’s injury represents a particularly cruel blow for the 19-year-old defender, who had forced her way into Arsenal’s starting lineup ahead of established internationals. Her impressive performances earned Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for September and a first England senior call-up before the training ground injury ended her breakthrough season.

The teenager joins Arsenal teammates Manuela Zinsberger and Michelle Agyemang on the treatment table with season-ending ACL injuries. Liverpool have three players sidelined ~ Marie Höbinger, Sophie Román Haug, and Zara Shaw.

Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan and Brooke Aspin, Everton’s Megan Finnigan and Aurora Galli, plus Manchester City’s Mary Fowler have all suffered ACL ruptures this campaign.

The statistics are harrowing, with seven ACL injuries in just eight weeks of the season. Female footballers are already two to six times more likely than men to suffer ACL injuries, making the current crisis even more alarming.

Read More: Who Is Katie Reid? The 19-Year-Old Arsenal Defender Set for England Debut

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Liverpool Women vs. Chelsea Women Player Ratings: Alyssa Thompson Scores Stunner But Record-Breaker Millie Bright Struggles in Damaging Draw

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Chelsea Women set a new WSL record with their 34th consecutive match unbeaten streak but dropped crucial points in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Alyssa Thompson’s early stunner was cancelled out by Beata Olsson’s composed finish. The champions now trail Manchester City by three points in the title race.

The Standout Performer:

Alyssa Thompson – 8.5/10 Produced another moment of brilliance with a magnificent ninth-minute goal, collecting Wieke Kaptein’s through ball before cutting inside and curling a sublime effort into the top corner past Faye Kirby.

The American winger constantly threatened Liverpool’s backline with her pace and movement, firing another effort over the bar in the second half before switching flanks to try unlocking the Reds’ stubborn defence. Attempted to turn provider for Erin Cuthbert late on but couldn’t find the breakthrough Chelsea desperately needed. Her third goal of the season demonstrated why she’s become indispensable to Sonia Bompastor’s attack.

Other Notable Performances:

Erin Cuthbert – 7/10 Arguably Chelsea’s best midfielder despite dragging an early effort wide in the opening minute after excellent work from Thompson. Worked tirelessly off the ball throughout, pressing Liverpool’s midfield relentlessly whilst keeping play ticking over in the middle of the park.

Wieke Kaptein – 7/10 Played the perfect pass through for Thompson’s opener, threading the ball into space with precision timing. Solid if unspectacular afterwards as she kept possession moving in midfield, though struggled to create further openings against Liverpool’s organized block.

Keira Walsh – 6.5/10 Kept play ticking over in the middle of the park with her usual composure. Solid if unspectacular performance from the England international, who maintained Chelsea’s possession without unlocking Liverpool’s defence.

Livia Peng – 6/10 Made her WSL debut deputizing for injured Hannah Hampton and came off her line quickly to deny Beata Olsson early on after Millie Bright’s sloppy pass. Could do little to prevent the Liverpool striker’s composed 33rd-minute equalizer when left exposed one-on-one.

Niamh Charles – 6/10 Solid if unspectacular before being replaced by Lauren James as Chelsea pushed for the winner. Provided defensive stability down the left without making significant attacking contributions.

Also read: AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women

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Liverpool Women vs. Chelsea Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview

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Liverpool Women vs. Chelsea Women. (Image by BBC)

Chelsea Women travel to St. Helens Stadium on Sunday afternoon with history beckoning, sitting just one match away from setting a new WSL record for the longest unbeaten run. The reigning champions currently match their own 33-game streak, with struggling Liverpool representing the last team to beat them in league competition back in May 2024.


Predicted Lineups

Chelsea Women (4-2-3-1): Peng; Carpenter, Bright, Bjorn, Charles; Kaptein, Walsh; Rytting Kaneryd, Cuthbert, Macario; Thompson

Liverpool Women (4-3-3): Kirby; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham; Nagano, Kerr; Holland, Kapocs, Enderby; Olsson


Chelsea’s Record-Breaking Run

Sonia Bompastor’s side equalled their 33-game unbeaten mark with last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal, though the dropped points allowed Manchester City to leapfrog them into first place. Chelsea now sit second, one point behind City with both teams having played eight matches.

The Blues bounced back midweek, demolishing St Polten 6-0 in the Champions League. Catarina Macario and Sam Kerr each grabbed braces, extending Chelsea’s tally to seven points from three European matches. Chelsea have scored 15 league goals already this season, with seven arriving inside the opening 15 minutes.

Captain Millie Bright is set to make her 211th WSL appearance, breaking the league’s all-time appearance record.

Liverpool’s Struggles Continue

Gareth Taylor has endured a torrid start to his first season as Liverpool boss. The Reds have managed just one point from eight league games, leaving them in 11th position.

Liverpool finally claimed their first point last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Beata Olsson’s 26th-minute opener had them positioned for victory, only for Brighton to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser. Liverpool have scored just four league goals all season whilst conceding 13 times.

Long-term injuries to Zara Shaw, Marie Hobinger, and Sophie Roman Haug have depleted the squad. Chelsea remain without Kadeisha Buchanan, Brooke Aspin and Mayra Ramirez, while Hannah Hampton faces an extended absence with a quad injury.


Kick-off: 12:00 PM Sunday, November 17th, 2025
Venue: St Helens Stadium
TV and Live Streaming: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football (UK)

Read More: “Not Good Enough”: Renee Slegers Admits Arsenal Women’s Bayern Collapse Was Unacceptable

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