Chelsea visit Watford on Saturday evening looking to strengthen their hold of fourth position in the Premier League standings.

A return of 15 points from a possible 18 in the top flight has resulted in the Blues opening up a four-point advantage over the chasing pack.

However, despite the club's encouraging form, Frank Lampard continues to have to cope with a well-populated treatment room in the middle of a hectic schedule.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the West Londoners could line up for the showdown at Vicarage Road.

Out: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles)
Doubtful: N'Golo Kante (groin), Ross Barkley (ankle), Emerson Palmieri (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (hamstring), Antonio Rudiger (groin)

Despite revealing that N'Golo Kante is due to return to training before the end of the week, Lampard is unlikely to take any risks on the France international.

The same approach is expected to apply to the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Emerson Palmieri and Ross Barkley ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Ajax in the Champions League.

However, changes will be made after Wednesday's EFL Cup defeat to Manchester United, with Fikayo Tomori and Willian in line to start after being given a rest in midweek.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham were all named on the bench, but the trio will almost certainly return to the first XI.

After his hat-trick against Burnley last weekend, Christian Pulisic should keep his place in the team ahead of Callum Hudson-Odoi.