Prediction: Watford vs Manchester United

Verdict: Manchester United win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Coming off the back of a hard-earned 1-0 win over Brighton last weekend, Jose Mourinho will know the importance of picking up three points as they travel to Vicarage Road on Tuesday night. United will face off against a Watford side who are enjoying an impressive start to the season.

Watford

After going three games without picking up a single point, Marco Silva’s side appears to have their strong start to the season back on track. With back to back wins against West Ham and Newcastle, the Hornets have scored five goals in their last two appearances without conceding a single goal in return. Currently sat eighth in the table, Watford are only four points off the top four and it’s no surprise that their Portuguese boss is a man in high demand.

For the hosts, their only notable problem this year has been their inconsistent form at Vicarage Road, winning just two of their six games in West London. More worryingly for Silva’s side, when playing at home, Watford have only managed to keep two clean sheets in those six games. On average the Hornets are conceding nearly two goals per home game. For Watford, they will know that after playing host to Manchester United and Tottenham, they will go on a relatively easy Christmas run that could see them carry on their charge up the table. After consecutive games against two of the top six sides, Watford will face Burnley, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, and Swansea.

Team News

Watford fans will be glad to hear that captain Troy Deeney is available for selection after serving his three-match suspension. On Saturday, Sebastian Prodl replaced an injured Miguel Britos in the second half and is expected to earn his first start of the season.

Austrian defender Prodl will join a long list of injury concerns for Marco Silva, Defenders Craig Cathcart (knee) and Younes Kaboul (hamstring), midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah (knee) and forward Isaac Success (knee) will once again be sidelined.

Manchester United

Although they may not have been at their tantalising best last weekend, Jose Mourinho’s United side were able to overcome a resilient Brighton side and continue to stay in touching distance of league leaders Manchester City. Already chasing down an eight-point deficit to their noisy neighbours, United’s current away form will be of concern to Mourinho. Losing consecutive away games against Chelsea and Huddersfield, the Reds have only managed three clean sheets on the road this year.

However, United have enjoyed an impressive start to their season, picking up 29 points in their opening 13 games, this is the Red Devils best start to the Premier League campaign since Alex Ferguson retirement. The good omens continue for Mourinho’s side, although they may have lost their last two matches away from Old Trafford, United are conceding under a goal every two games, the best defensive record in the Premier League. In terms of their Champions League campaign, United are sat three points clear at the top of Group A and their European qualification is all but confirmed. However, Mourinho will know he can’t afford any slip up’s if he wants to keep the pressure on City. After their trip to West London, United face tough opposition in Arsenal and then play host to the league leaders.

Team News

After avoiding any punishment from the FA after allegedly kicking out at Brighton defender Gaetan Bong last weekend, striker Romelu Lukaku is free to play. However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is pushing to make his first start of the season. The former Swedish international has made three substitute appearances after recovering from his knee injury.

After undergoing a cardiac ablation for an irregular heart rhythm, Michael Carrick has begun light training but will not be available for Tuesday’s match. Making his return to United’s first team in their Champions League defeat to Basel last week, Marcos Rojo could be rested if Eric Bailly or Phil Jones overcome late fitness tests.

Key Factors to Consider

• Watford have lost 12 of their last 13 games against Manchester United in all competitions
• The Hornets have not gone unbeaten in successive home matches against United since 1986
• The Red Devils could fail to score in three consecutive away fixtures in all competitions for the first time since October 1999
• Jose Mourinho’s side have conceded just six goals so far this season, their lowest total after the first 13 league games of a season since 2007-08
• Richarlison has been involved in seven goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for Watford

 Conclusion

Although their form away from Old Trafford has left a lot to the imagination, United will be confident about leaving Vicarage Road with three vital points. With Watford only collecting two clean sheets at home this year, United do have a tendency to find the net when on the road. In only two of United’s away games this season have Mourinho’s side failed to register a single goal. However, we feel that the Hornets will fancy their chances of asking United’s defense some questions. Scoring six goals in their last three appearances, Watford’s 20-year-old forward Richarlison has been Silva’s starman this year. The Brazilian has scored four goals and picked up three assists in his last eight games. Backing United to win and both teams to score at 12/5 seems like a good bet here.

Verdict: Manchester United win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: Bet365