Chelsea go to Vicarage Road on Wednesday night looking to extend their nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions since Guus Hiddink took over from Jose Mourinho.

The champions sit some 17 points off the top four, but Gary Cahill believes they have turned the corner, not only in the league but in the FA Cup after a 4-1 win over MK Dons on Sunday in the fourth round.
“We look like we are going in the right direction,” Cahill said. “Of course, the first half of the season was a disaster.

“But there was another good performance in the FA Cup, not just the result but the way we moved the ball.
“If you get results and don’t lose games, it breeds confidence and everything comes back. I wouldn’t say we are totally there yet but we are definitely going in the right direction.”

In the win over MK Dons Eden Hazard ended his wait for a goal this season, but Willian picked up a late knock.
Hiddink may rest the Brazilian as a result, but Alexandre Pato could come in after completing his loan move from Corinthians last week.

Watford are sure to provide a stern test to Hiddink’s unbeaten run, though, with Quique Sanchez Flores’ side buoyed by their FA Cup victory at Nottingham Forest, which was sealed by Odion Ighalo’s 89th-minute winner.

Flores’ team bounced back from four-straight top-flight losses with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United in their last league match and claimed a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day.

Troy Deeney is expecting a tougher test.

“Of course we will take confidence from the fact that we got a draw at Stamford Bridge, but I think you have to remember that this is a different Chelsea team now and they’re obviously playing with more confidence,” the Watford captain told the Watford website.