Chelsea v Watford
Kick off: 5pm
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea will attempt to get back on track when welcoming Watford in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday (today).
Jose Mourinho’s team suffered their lowest point of the campaign by falling to a surprise second league defeat on Thursday.
Tottenham were their conquerors, putting in a dominant display to earn a 5-3 triumph as Chelsea began 2015 in dreadful fashion.
The result left Mourinho’s side, considered as certainties by many for the Premier League title just a few weeks ago, level on points with champions, Manchester City, at the top of the table.
The Portuguese will be determined to ensure that does not represent the start of a rut, even if he seems certain to significantly shuffle his pack having not made too many alterations during an extremely busy festive period.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech is among those likely to come in, while star men Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are strong candidates to be rewarded with a rest as a full-strength squad provides Mourinho with ample opportunities to rotate.
Chelsea have lifted the FA Cup seven times in their history, with one of those triumphs coming under their current boss.
Mourinho oversaw victory in 2006/07 during his first tenure with the club, Didier Drogba – who is also back at Chelsea having spent some time away – grabbing the only goal of the final in extra time to sink Manchester United.
They were eliminated at the fifth-round stage last time out, losing 2-0 to a Manchester City side that knocked out Watford in the previous round.
Watford’s best run in the tournament came in 1983/84 when they reached the final.
They were beaten 2-0 by Everton in the Wembley showpiece, with Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray grabbing the decisive goals.
Among Watford’s current vintage, Hungary international midfielder Daniel Tozser is poised to make his FA Cup debut and insists his team-mates must take on their illustrious opponents without fear.
Chelsea and Watford are no strangers to facing off in the competition having done so twice since 2009.
