Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel miss out as they are on African Nations Cup duty with their respective countries.
Essien (hamstring) is injured anyway, while Jose Bosingwa (knee) is also on the sidelines but Florent Malouda returns from suspension.
Watford will be without striker Heidar Helguson.
The forward has returned to parent club QPR and although the Hornets are hoping to bring the former Fulham man back to Vicarage Road, they are likely to have to wait until next week to complete the deal.
Henri Lansbury has extended his loan deal from Arsenal until the end of the season but is 50/50 to play after suffering an ankle injury in Monday's 2-2 draw with Bristol City.
Defender Craig Cathcart has returned to Old Trafford for knee surgery and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Midfielder Ross Jenkins is back in the squad following a back injury which has kept him out since October.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, J Cole, Zhirkov, Kakuta, Bruma, Borini, Sturridge, Matic, Malouda, Deco.
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