Watford’s poor start to the season saw them sack manager Javi Gracia (W1, D1, L3). Therefore, the first job for the re-appointed Quique Sanchez Flores’ will be to fix a leaky defense that has kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 competitive matches. Strikingly, 35% of those matches saw them also concede over 2.5 match goals.
Even though their defense seems to be a problem, their attack continues to perform. Of those same 20 matches, the ‘Hornets’ found the net on 14 occasions – although just three of those matches saw them score over 2.5 goals.
Arsenal’s season has started with a bang, even if they would have liked a few more victories (W2, D1, L1). Three of their four Premier League (PL) matches have seen over 2.5 match goals. Worryingly though, there does seem to be a tendency to switch off before half-time, which has seen them concede a goal on or after the 40th minute in each of their previous three fixtures.
The ‘Gunners’ have won each of the previous three H2H meetings with their opponents. Impressively, each victory was accompanied by a clean sheet.
Players to watch: Troy Deeney (WAT) is always a prominent figure in this fixture. Across the previous four H2H PL meetings, he has scored, missed a penalty and received both a yellow and a red card.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ASNL) has three goals in his previous four PL matches and can boast a record of two goals in his previous three H2H matches vs Watford.
Stat attack: Watford has scored a goal in the first half of each of their previous three competitive matches.
Arsenal has scored a goal before the 11th minute in two of their previous three visits to Watford.
There have been two penalties across the previous three H2H meetings at Vicarage Road.
Will not play
Cathcart C.
(Thigh Injury)
Bellerin H.
(Knee Injury)
Deeney T.
(Surgery)
Lacazette A.
(Ankle Injury)
Mavropanos K.
(Muscle Injury)
Tierney K.
(Surgery)
Match Information
Referee: Taylor A. (Eng),
Venue: Vicarage Road (Watford)
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