Watford vs Manchester United
English Premier League
18th September 2016, 12:00 pm BST
Vicarage Road, Watford

Watford Team News & Preview

Watford welcome us in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Hornets had made a slow start to the new season before a shock 4-2 win at West Ham last weekend in which they were 2-0 down at one stage.  This took the Hertfordshire club to four points from four matches.

Walter Mazzarri’s side are still yet to keep a clean sheet since he became manager over the summer, but his side have also managed to score in all four of their games.  Even in their EFL Cup defeat to Gillingham, both teams scored!

Watford haven’t had an easy fixture list – home defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal are followed up by our visit in which we too will be hoping to match the results of our fellow title challengers by taking all three points home.

The hosts may fancy their chances after suffering back-to-back defeats which included a trip to Rotterdam on Thursday.  Most of the first team were rested against Feyenoord at least.

Brice Dja Djedje is the only absentee to the Italian manager who can otherwise name his preferred lineup.

Watford’s Predicted Starting Lineup (3-5-2): Gomes; Craig Cathcart, Younes Kaboul, Miguel Britos; Daryl Janmaat, Roberto Pereyra, Valon Behrami, Etienne Capoue, Jose Holebas; Troy Denney, Odion Ighalo

United Team News & Preview

After a positive start to the season it has dwindled over the past week – a loss to City in the Manchester derby last weekend saw us on the backfoot throughout the first half.

This was followed up by our loss in the Europa League to Feyenoord on Thursday but that result and competition can be taken with a pinch of salt.

Otherwise we have no fear in taking three points from Watford in similar fashion to our comfortable victories over Bournemouth and Southampton to start the season.  Getting back to keeping clean sheets would also be useful.

Paul Pogba could do with a performance this weekend too to get the media off his back.  The French international has been the scapegoat in the media over the past week or so.  He’s offered us good energy and bursts from midfield and could do with an end product versus Watford.

Jose will be without Phil Jones and Henrikh Mkhitaryan whilst Luke Shaw is a doubt.  Marcos Rojo started left-back midweek.

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United Predicted Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw; Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini; Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial; Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Watford vs United Key Stats

5 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic would tie the United record of five goals in his opening five Premier League games with one goal on Sunday.  The record is currently held by Louis Saha and Robin van Persie.  The Swede is 33/10 to open the scoring with 138.com.

18 – Watford have used players of 18 different nationalities already this season.

100% – We have won all six of our Premier League meetings with Watford, scoring 16 goals.

Watford vs United Betting Tips

Jose Mourinho doesn’t often go two games without a win in the Premier League and I have full faith in our manager to get us back to winning ways on Sunday.  We’re also the bookmakers’ odds-on favourite to do so – 138.com gives us odds of 2/3 to win.

Watford’s goalscoring streak has to end at some point and with David de Gea in goal, protected by the solid partnership between Eric Bailly and Daley Blind, we’re a tasty 17/10 to win to nil with 138.com.

I can see the boss making the players attack Watford from the go to get our confidence back, so backing us to lead at both half-time and full-time could be a good bet in this match, especially at price of 5/4 with 138bet.com.

Watford vs United Prediction

Despite goals galore in each of their first four Premier League games of the season, I am confident in our defence to keep Watford at bay and shut them out here.

The Hornets haven’t kept a clean sheet so far this season and I expect that run to continue after our visit.  Pogba, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all too good on paper for them to keep us out.

Thursday’s game shouldn’t be a big issue because of squad rotation so I’m going to have a cheeky punt on a 2-0 win at 27/4.

Prediction: Watford 0-2 Manchester United

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