Last-placed Watford are desperate to move away from the bottom of the Premier League table, but they will have a tough match on Sunday as they host Arsenal at Vicarage Road. Last season Arsenal won 1-0 at Watford thanks to an early goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while the reverse fixture was won 2-0 by the Gunners. Arsenal have won the last three direct matches, after Watford had won the previous two. The Hornets have won just one of the last six home matches against Arsenal in the Premier League.
Watford started the season with a terrible streak of three consecutive defeats, 3-0 at home against Brighton, then 1-0 at Everton and 3-1 at home against West Ham United. Just before the international break they managed to snatch a 1-1 draw at Newcastle, four days after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Coventry in the League Cup. Manager Javi Gracia got sacked as a consequence of those results and was replaced with former boss Quique Sanchez Flores. Forward Troy Deeney is sidelined because of an injury, while Etienne Capoue is doubtful.
Arsenal started the season flying high with two consecutive wins, but then got brought back to earth by Liverpool, who defeated them 3-1 at Anfield. However, the Gunners still managed to keep their morale high and they fought back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw in the North London derby against Tottenham. Hector Bellerin, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Kieran Tierney remain sidelined, while Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira are injury doubts for the away side. Head coach Unai Emery will also have to do without Alexandre Lacazette, an ankle injury will keep the Frenchman away until October.
Probable line-ups:
Watford: Foster - Janmaat, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas - Sarr, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes - Deulofeu, Gray
Arsenal: Leno - Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac - Guendouzi, Torreira - Pepe, Ceballos, Willock - Aubameyang
My prediction:
It is probably too early for new boss Quique Sanchez Flores to give Watford a new style, while Arsenal have already proven that they are strong this season. I think the Gunners will get a narrow win, most likely 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at NetBet:
Watford win - 3.65
Draw - 3.70
Arsenal win - 2.00
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Comments (1)
sharpe
09/17/19, 02:09:29 PM
I thought Watford have been looking really good in the debut of their new manager and even being a two goals down first half they've always looked a threat for the...
I thought Watford have been looking really good in the debut of their new manager and even being a two goals down first half they've always looked a threat for the Gunners goal. You have to question Arsenal tactics and attitude being 2 to the good and not able to win the game but in the end I thought Watford got a well deserved point in this one, they should be probably even a bit disappointment of not wining that game.
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