Watford vs Arsenal
English Premier League.
Date: Saturday, 27 August, 2016,
Kick-off: 15:00 UK.
Venue: Vicarage Road (Watford).
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Watford were denied their first win of the season by two late Chelsea goals last weekend. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton in the opening week after taking an early lead. It hasn’t gone all well for Walter Mazzarri in his first season in England as the Hornet’s were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by League One Gillingham F.C.
Arsenal are also looking for a win after suffering defeat to Liverpool in the opening week and playing out a 0-0 draw against Leicester last week. Arsene Wenger is not new to extreme pressure from fans, who has already shown their discontent during both league matches of the season. With a squad still short of full match fitness and looming injury crisis, the Gunners are expected to find it hard to reclaim their favourite fourth place in the league table.
Watford: Team News
Ben Watson is available for selection after serving his one-match ban following the red card against Southampton on the opening week of the Premier League season.
Brice Dja Djedje is the only played sidelined with injury for Walter Mazzari.
The two new signings Younes Kaboul and Roberto Pereyra are availbale for selection and are expected to start from the bench.
Watford: Expected Starting Line-up (3-5-2)
Gomes – Cathcart, Prodl, Britos – Holebas, Capoue, Behrami, Guedioura, Amrabat – Ighalo, Deeney.
Arsenal: Team News
With Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista out with injuries, the youngster Rob Holding will once again get his chance to start in defense alongside Laurent Koscielny.
While Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud are expected to make their first start of the season.
Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Carl Jenkinson and Alex Iwobi are sidelined with injuries.
Arsenal: Expected Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Cech – Monreal, Holding, Koscielny, Bellerin – Coquelin, Cazorla – Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez – Giroud.
Watford vs Arsenal: Head-to-Head
Arsenal defeated Watford in both Premier League fixtures of the 2015/16 season, 4-0 at home and 3-0 at Vicarage Road. However they lost 2-1 in the FA cup fixture on March 2016.
Arsenal are on a six match winning run against Watford in Premier League meetings. They also kept clean sheets in 4 matches during the period.
Watford vs Arsenal: Prediction
Arsenal might have started their season slow, but the return of a fully fit Ozil and Giroud to the starting line-up could make a huge difference here. They do had their chances in their first two matches and better finishing could have made the difference.
Moreover, the Gunners have won in all of the last six Premier League meetings with Watford and this streak could be extended here. I also expect them to win by keeping a clean sheet here.
Watford vs Arsenal: Betting Tips
- Arsenal to score over 1.5 goals.
- Arsenal to win.
