Chelsea vs Watford team news: No Eden Hazard as Guus Hiddink picks first side

Belgian will start from the bench

Reigning Player of the Year Eden Hazard will be among the substitutes for the first game of Guus Hiddink's second spell in charge of Chelsea.

The Belgian came off with a hip injury in the final game of Jose Mourinho's reign and has been accused of being one of three players, along with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, responsible for Mourinho's sacking.

Hazard didn't play at all against Sunderland, a match where those other two players were both booed by the home supporters.

Hiddink makes one change to the team picked by Steve Holland for that 3-1 win last week, reinstating Gary Cahill in the centre of defence.

The England man last started in the 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth on 5 December.

Quique Sanchez Flores has made just one change to his Hornets side, an enforced one as Nathan Ake is ineligible.

The Dutch midfielder is on loan from Chelsea and not able to play against his parent club - he's replaced by Jose Holebas.

TEAMS:

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Pedro, Diego Costa.

Subs: Begovic, Baba, Zouma, Mikel, Ramires, Hazard, Remy.

Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Holebas; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Deeney, Jurado; Ighalo.

Subs: Arlauskis, Prödl, Behrami, Anya, Guedioura, Berghuis, Diamanti.