Watford v Manchester United Prediction and Preview – 21/11/15
Premier League preview – Watford v Manchester United prediction
Watford midfielder Jose Jurado is available following a seven week absence with a hamstring problem. Despite being a regular until the injury, Jurado may have to settle for a place on the bench as manager Enrique Flores prefers to stick with the same starting eleven whenever possible. Joel Ekstrand is still on the comeback trail from the knee injury he picked up against Ipswich last season and the big Swede will be lucky to appear before Christmas.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is expected to be fit after missing international duty with a foot niggle. Anthony Martial is a concern after taking a knock on his foot during the friendly match between England and France which could mean Jesse Lingard keeps his place following his man of the match performance against West Brom. Michael Carrick is expected to be out for another week with an ankle injury while Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Paddy McNair are long term injuries.
Possible Line-ups
Watford: 4-4-2 formation: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake; Anye, Capoue, Watson, Abdi; Deeny, Ighalo
Manchester United: 4-2-3-1 formation: Gea; Young, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Lingard; Rooney
Statistics
- Watford have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Manchester United have won 5, drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Watford have scored an average of 0.9 goals and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Manchester United have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 0.2 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Watford’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Manchester United’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Watford would have snatched at least a point from the last game at Leicester (L 2-1) but for a first half howler from goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes . The Brazilian stopper has been impressive for most of the season and the Hornets had defeated West Ham at home and Stoke away in the two previous games without conceding. The Premier League newcomers have not fared well against the big guns to date, losing 3-0 at home to Arsenal in October and were defeated 2-0 at Manchester City in the first month of the season.
Manchester United are just two points from the lead in the Premier League title race but the team is getting criticism for the manner of their performances. The Red Devils have been defensively sound, (the two goals conceded in the last ten games were in Europe) but have struggled to penetrate at the other end of the pitch. The 2-0 victory over West Brom at Old Trafford last time followed goalless draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
United have won the last eight meetings with Watford and should stretch that run to nine on Saturday, but don’t expect a hatful of goals typical of this fixture in the past.
Tips
Manchester United to win at 10/11 on BetVictor
Manchester United to win and under 2.5 goals at 13/5 on BoyleSports
Rooney to score first at 11/2 on bet365
What are your predictions?
Click here to see more Premier League previews, predictions and tips