English Premier
2021-09-25 - Watford vs Newcastle United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 25th September 2021 - Kick Off 3pm
Watford
Xisco Munoz knows the kind of pressure he will be facing as Watford manager with a set of 'trigger happy' owners above him that will make a managerial change if they feel their club is not moving in the right direction. An upset home loss in the League Cup won't be a major concern and especially not if Watford are able to produce back to back Premier League wins having secured a vital three points at Norwich City last weekend.
That victory moved Watford up to 11th in the Premier League table and they have earned 6 points so far this season. The Hornets have a 1-0-1 record at Vicarage Road in the League where Watford have scored 3 goals and conceded 4.
Watford have lost 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions, but the win at Norwich City last weekend is a huge boost for the entire squad. They won their opening 2 games here in all competitions, but Watford have suffered defeats to Wolves and Stoke City in the last couple of fixtures here.
Daniel Bachmann is a doubt so Ben Foster may continue to deputise. Kiko Femenia and Joao Pedro may return to the squad.
Newcastle United
An early loss in the League Cup has given Steve Bruce and his Newcastle United players over a week to prepare for this fixture. It has also likely been a good week for the manager to get the boos from ringing in his ears after the 1-1 home draw with Leeds United produced another negative reaction from the fans who are tired of the lack of direction their club are moving in.
The point earned last time out has moved Newcastle United up to 18th in the Premier League table, but they are still searching for their first League win of the season. The Magpies have a 0-0-2 record away from home in the Premier League where they have scored 1 goal, but conceded 6.
Newcastle United did end the last season with back to back Premier League wins, but they have failed to win any of 6 games in all competitions this season. The side had also been unbeaten in 4 away Premier League games to end the 2020/21 campaign, but defeats at Aston Villa and Manchester United have put pay to that run.
Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock are both doubts. Callum Wilson remains a big miss for the visitors.
Head to Head
Two seasons ago, Watford took 4 points from Newcastle United with the majority earned from a 2-1 home win against them.
Watford are now unbeaten in 5 at Vicarage Road against Newcastle United and they have won 4 of those fixtures.
Prediction
It is far too early to be speaking about relegation six pointers, but you have to believe that both Watford and Newcastle United would have targeted matches against the other as being vital towards their survival bids.
The newly promoted club are in better form in the very early part of the Premier League season and Watford put a huge three points on the board by crushing Norwich City 1-3 at Carrow Road last weekend.
Being in mid-table is obviously a good thing, but Xisco Munoz knows the pressure is on to deliver enough strong results at all times. Watford have become known for chopping and changing managers very quickly when they feel things are going against them and so this is a big game for the manager to show he can keep the club in the top flight.
Playing away from home may suit Steve Bruce and his Newcastle United players with the fans clearly not happy with the direction of the club. They were booed off last week, but Bruce is maintaining he will not walk away from the job and there has been little to suggest Mike Ashley has lost faith in the manager.
Newcastle United need a win to ease growing concerns, but they are suffering with some key injuries and I do think they have continued to look vulnerable at the back.
Watford have been strong at home under their current manager, despite back to back losses at Vicarage Road, and I do think the squad is more settled. Only the starting goalkeeper is expected to sit out, but Ben Foster is more than a capable replacement and I do think Watford can create the chances to earn the win.
The Hornets also have a strong home record against Newcastle United in recent seasons and I think they do enough to win here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Watford 2-1 Newcastle United
