Watford is now aiming at a European spot after overcoming Newcastle United with a 3-0 in a Premier League match at St. James Park on Saturday. The Hornets currently occupies position eight in the league standings and have the potentiality of climbing to the sixth spot with a win over the Europa League champions, Manchester United. Watford hosts Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in a game whose result can help the visitors pile pressure on the surging Manchester City.
Manchester United was on the brink of losing the maximum points at Old Trafford for the first in this season had Lewis Dunk not deflected Ashley Young's shot on his net.
Manchester United are currently placed in the second spot, and the Red Devils are aware that failure to win their match could make Manchester City the champions-elect even before the conclusion of the first leg of the league.
Match facts
- Watford has managed to get eight points in the Premier League matches they've hosted in this term. It's on the road that the Hornets have garnered thirteen points after seven away matches.
- The Red Devils have only lost four matches in the last thirty-eight Premier League matches they've played. In the previous away match, Manchester United lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
- The Red Devils have won nine of their ten matches against Watford in all competitions. The last meeting between the two clubs saw Manchester United beat Watford 2-0 at Old Trafford. However, the corresponding match saw the Hornets hand the Red Devils a 3-1 defeat.
- The previous six matches in all competitions featuring the Red Devils and Watford that Watford hosted witnessed high-scoring with each game realizing more than two goals.
- Watford has been in a great goal-scoring form managing at least two goals in seven out of the last eight Premier League matches they've played.
Team news
Tommie Hoban, Craig Cathcart, Nathaniel Chalobah, and Isaac Success will miss the welcoming of Manchester United due to injury while Younis Kaboul is not fit enough to feature.
Miguel Britos who was withdrawn before an hour mark in the 3-0 win over the Magpies is doubtful for the contest so Sebastian Prodl will fill in the void he's leaving. Marco Silva is expected to field Jose Holebas and Roberto Pereyra in his starting lineup while Marvin Zeegelaar may not feature due to his poor form. However, Troy Deeney will be back in the fold after serving a three-match ban.
For the first time in the season, Jose Mourinho heads to the match without injury cases. However, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, and Michael Carrick are doubtful for the match. Mourinho could rotate his squad bringing in Daley Blind and Mateo Damian while reserving Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia for the weekend face-off with Arsenal.
Predictions
Manchester United knows that failure to win their match at Watford will make Manchester City the runner-away Premier League leaders so Mourinho's men will try to cut the points between them and the Citizens or maintain it. With nearly a full-house team, Manchester United remains the favorite to take the maximum points given that the hosts have multiple injuries.
Full-time prediction: Watford 1-3 Manchester United
