Verdict: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides who are enjoying a bright start to the season and have dreams of a European push, Watford will welcome Bournemouth to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Watford
Starting with the hosts, while they have gained a reputation for chopping and changing their managers, Watford appear to be finally be settling to life under Javi Garcia. While the Hornets are coming off the back of a 2-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend and are now without a win in their last four in all competitions, they have put in some impressive performances. With Tottenham needing penalties to come past them in the EFL Cup and almost nicking a point off of Manchester United, Watford currently find themselves sixth in the table and just two points adrift of jumping into the Champions League positions. Although the Yellows have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions, Garcia will be impressed by their his side’s performances at Vicarage Road. Watford have now lost just one of their last six matches at home and have managed to find the net at least once in all bar one of their matches since November 2017. One man who will be looking to carry on his recent run of form will be striker Andre Gray. The Hornets forward has two goals in his last three appearances.
Team News
Gerard Deulofeu could be in line to make his first appearance of the season having returned to training after an ankle injury.
Bournemouth
As for Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side, securing a top half finish in the Premier League last season, the Cherries find their confidence at a high. Scoring a late winner against Crystal Palace on Monday night, they now sit seventh in the table, just one spot bellow this weekends hosts. Now winning their last two on the bounce, including a hard-fought 3-2 win over MK Dons in the Cup, some feel a surprise European push could be on the cards. Much like Garcia, the Cherries boss will be concerned by his sides recent defensive record. Bournemouth have recorded just one clean sheet so far this season and have also conceded two or more goals in four of their last five. Also losing both their previous matches away match against Chelsea and their 4-0 hammering at Turf Moor last month, Howe will be looking for winger Ryan Fraser to carry on his impressive start. The 24-year-old now has four in all competitions so far.
Team News
Sebastian Prodl and Stefano Okaka are also back in training while Miguel Britos may have to wait until after the international break for his return from a thigh injury.
Daryl Janmaat and Tom Cleverley also remain sidelined.
Key Factors to Consider
- Three of the last four meetings between the two sides have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals.
- Five of the last six matchups have ended in a draw.
- Bournemouth have lost their last two away matches, conceding six goals.
- Watford have scored in 18 of their last 19 competitive matches at Vicarage Road.
- Neither side have been able to record a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competions.
Conclusion
On paper, it has all the makings of a game that could produce plenty of chances at both ends. With six of their last nine combined matches seeing both teams find the net and finish with over three goals, we’re backing another high scoring outcome on Saturday.
Verdict: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
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