Category: Watford

Watford vs Tottenham – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Watford will be looking to pick up a fifth win in their last six Premier League games as the welcome another in-form team to Vicarage Road in the shape of Champions League chasing Tottenham. The hosts come into this after claiming a hard earned 2-2 draw at Chelsea, and while it was a match where their defensive resolve was severely tested they more than matched the champions throughout and showed why they have surprised so many this season to lie in the lofty heights of seventh place. Manager Quique Flores continues…

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Chelsea vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Guus Hiddink begins his second interim period in the Chelsea hotseat with an intriguing home encounter with Watford, who are looking to make it five wins in succession. Highly successful in the role after being called in to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari in February 2009, the Dutchman returns with the Blues in much more dire straits despite their much-needed win over Sunderland last weekend. He was in the stands for that game as the team produced the kind of display that they have looked a million miles away from producing…

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Watford vs Liverpool – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Liverpool will be determined to win for the first time in three Premier League outings, but face a challenge against a Watford side that is on a fine run and sit a point and two places above them in the table. Although they face a tricky run of matches over the festive period, Watford are becoming almost impossible to write off at present and were just four points off the Champions League places coming into the weekend, reaching a position where no side in the top-flight is even thinking about…

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Sunderland vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Currently sitting pretty in the top half, Watford will be aiming to collect their third consecutive victory as they take on Sunderland for the first time in a league match for over a decade. After picking up back to back themselves, Sunderland put in another strong performance last time out at Arsenal and carved out a number of chances, but eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat which was much closer than the scoreline suggests. Manager Sam Allardyce was left to rue costly misses from Fabio Borini and Patrick van Aanholt…

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Watford vs Norwich – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Both promoted from the Championship back in May, Watford and Norwich City meet for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday, with the hosts hoping to move into the top half with a victory. After losing consecutive games, the Hornets went into their last game away to lowly Aston Villa determined to return to form, and that they managed as a result of repeatedly punishing their opponent’s defensive mistakes. The prolific front pairing of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney were both on target again, with the latter now really beginning…

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Aston Villa vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Aston Villa will be desperate to close the gap between themselves and safety by claiming a first home win of the season over Watford, who are hoping to avoid a third successive loss. After a massively encouraging display which brought a battling goalless draw with title hopefuls Manchester City, and newfound optimism at Aston Villa was almost totally eroded by a shambolic effort at Everton last weekend. Let down by some shocking defending, they created few chances and were soundly beaten, with their many limitations ruthlessly exposed in a punishing…

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Watford vs Man Utd – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Manchester United will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games when they head to Vicarage Road for a potentially tricky clash with an often stubborn Watford side. The hosts were targeting a third straight win in their last match at Leicester City, and comfortably held their own against the third-placed team until goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes made a howling error to gift the Foxes their opener in the second half. It was a mistake that was to prove fatal, as the Brazilian then brought…

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Leicester vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

They have had their titanic battles in the Championship over recent years, but now Leicester City and Watford meet in the Premier League with both sides ecstatic with the start they have made to the season. There was clearly luck involved for Leicester regarding a couple of penalty shouts at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but on the balance of play they certainly deserved to come out on top. Ahead of that game against their Midlands rivals, there were questions posed over whether the top-flight’s current most dynamic duo could get…

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Watford vs West Ham – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

High-flying West Ham United will be aiming to pick up their sixth win in eight Premier League matches when they travel to Watford, who will be determined to avoid a third consecutive home defeat. After a three game run which yielded just one point and one goal, Watford upset the form book last weekend at Stoke City by claiming a richly deserved victory, taking advantage of some poor defending to move further clear of the bottom three. Out of the three newly promoted teams, it is the Hornets – contrary…

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Stoke vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Stoke City will be aiming to collect their fourth consecutive Premier League victory when they play host to a goal-shy Watford side that has not won on any of their last three outings. After a slow start, the Potters have really found their groove in recent weeks, and the main secret to their improvement is a greater solidity at the back. In the early weeks of the season goalkeeper Jack Butland was given very little protection from those in front of him and was often the man responsible for keeping his side…

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Watford vs Arsenal – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Arsenal will be aiming for their third consecutive Premier League win as they make the short journey to face a Watford side whose defence has been among the most obdurate so far this season. Luck was certainly on the Hornets’ side before the international break as they escaped with a draw from fellow newly promoted club Bournemouth, who gifted them the equaliser and then contrived to miss a late penalty to win it. As he has been so often in the last year, Odion Ighalo was there to pounce when…

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Arsenal handed quadruple fitness boost ahead of this weekend’s Premier League return

Steve Green

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been boosted by the news that Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are all back in contention to feature in this weekend’s clash with Watford, the Metro reports. Wenger had concerns over Sanchez’s fitness going into the international break, but the 26-year-old came through the victory over Peru without any problems and is now ready to dive straight back into first team duties with The Gunners (via Metro). The Metro also claims that defender Koscielny, who missed the 3-0 victory over Manchester…

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Bournemouth vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Not much has gone right for Bournemouth in the last week, so they will be yearning for victory on Saturday to lift their spirits, with fellow promoted side Watford providing the opposition. After drawing level at Stoke City, it looked as if Eddie Howe’s men were the more likely side to go on to win the game having gained reward for increased second half pressure. However, they conceded the decisive goal with seven minutes left and failed to come up with a response, ensuring that it was a thoroughly miserable…

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Watford vs Crystal Palace – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Watford will be aiming to win three successive Premier League matches for the first time as they take on a Crystal Palace team which will be keen to avoid a third defeat on the spin. The hosts are beginning to gain the recognition their early performances deserve after impressive triumphs over Swansea City and Newcastle United, while those who felt they would be vulnerable at the back have been proved emphatically wrong thus far as they are yet to concede a goal at Vicarage Road – a testament to the understanding…

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Newcastle vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

After four games without a goal, Newcastle United will be intent on moving off the bottom of the Premier League table when they take on Watford, who opened their account in terms of wins last out. There was a total lack of quality in the final third on Monday as the Magpies came badly unstuck at West Ham United, play that showed exactly why they have struggled to find the net this season. Time and again they gave the ball away as chances proved hard to come by, with right-back…

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Watford vs Swansea – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Watford will be looking to end a run of four games without a goal in all competitions and secure their first Premier League victory of the campaign, but face a tough task on Saturday as they host in-form Swansea City. While in their opening three matches – which all ended in draws – they did not hold back and attacked with purpose, the Hornets were forced into a rearguard action on their trip to leaders Manchester City just before the international break. They succeeded in holding out until half-time, only…

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Worst Premier League signings XI: Cursed defender lines up alongside £36m Man United striker

Jordan Harris

The closure of the transfer window means that every manager in the Premier League has now got to press on with the squad at his disposal knowing that until January, he can make no changes and no additions. Perhaps it is the pressure of whether to stick or twist with the squad that has forced some managers to make some pretty dreadful and uninspiring signings in the hope that they can help their new club achieve their aspirations. Here is the XI we believe will not be able to deliver…

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10 players Premier League clubs could still sign after transfer deadline day: Arsenal could make a signing after all

Steve Green

The transfer window may be closed now, but that doesn’t mean the transfer activity will end there. A number of top players are currently without clubs, and as such can move on free transfers outside of the window. And for clubs in need, there are still some very viable options out there, and below we’re bringing you the ten best players that could still stun the Premier League with a late move. 10. Ron Vlaar Having left Aston Villa at the end of last season, the Dutch international then confirmed…

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Man City vs Watford – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Manchester City will be searching for a club record 10th consecutive Premier League victory when they entertain a Watford side that has drawn all three of its matches so far, the last two of which have been scoreless. The home side have been quite brilliant in taking all nine points available to lie top of the virginal league table, failing to concede a goal and looking exceptional every time they have come forward. After last season’s somewhat disappointing defence of their title, the team looks to have a renewed determination…

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Arsenal overtake Chelsea to become London’s only £1bn club

Steve Green

Arsenal fans are already questioning Arsene Wenger’s inactivity in the transfer window so far, and those questions are about to get that much louder after learning that the club is the capital city’s only side worth £1billion. A new study by Dr Tom Markham (via Sporting Intelligence) has revealed that The Gunners are the country’s only team worth over £1billion, which draws their city rivals Chelsea and Tottenham. #mufc and #afc the only PL clubs worth more than £1bn (By @TMfootyfinance http://t.co/Y8CfasfaFR pic.twitter.com/mDVappKsVJ — sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) August 21, 2015 The…

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Watford vs Southampton – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Southampton will be hoping for a win to ease their demanding opening to the new season, but face a potentially difficult test against a Watford side that has competed exceptionally well in both games since promotion. With a bit of luck, the Hornets may have been coming into this game with maximum points, having come within minutes of winning away to Everton and then having the better of West Bromwich Albion for long periods without making a breakthrough. However, it has still been a reasonable start with their performances suggesting…

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Watford plan audacious bid for Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli and are willing to meet £10m asking price

Jordan Harris

While Mario Balotelli’s days at Liverpool appear to be numbered, it seems that the Italian could still be plying his trade in the Premier League this season. According to the Daily Express, newly-promoted Watford plan to make a stunning move for the 25-year-old as they look to improve their chances of remaining in the top flight for a second consecutive season. The Express report that while Sampdoria appear to be the favourites for his signature, the Hornets are hoping to win the race to the former Manchester City man’s signature,…

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Chelsea gossip: Defender signs bumped five-year deal and Costa fit to take on City

Steve Green

Saturday’s biggest Chelsea news and transfer rumour roundup. Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, 34, has had the last year of his contract with Roma terminated, The Guardian reports. The veteran star failed to make the impact that many had hoped for during his one season in the Italian capital. Jose Mourinho says Diego Costa has had no adverse reactions after playing the full 90 minutes of Chelsea’s draw with Swansea, the Daily Star reports. The striker suffered a hamstring problem during preseason and missed the Community Shield showdown with Arsenal…

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Chelsea sign defender to five-year deal

Steve Green

Chelsea have tied young defender Nathan Ake down to a new five-year contract but will spend the season on loan with Premier League new boys Watford, according to the Daily Express. The 20-year-old is highly-rated at Stamford Bridge, and can play either in the heart of defence or further forward in midfield and has become Watford’s 11th new signing of the summer. Having joined the club four years ago, he helped to life the FA Youth Cup during his first year before being named the club’s Young Player of the…

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Watford vs West Brom – Premier League preview and team news

Stephen Donovan

Vicarage Road hosts its first Premier League match since 2007 on Saturday afternoon as Watford entertain West Bromwich Albion, attempting to build on their promising opening day display. Having taken the lead twice and gone 2-1 up as late as the 83rd minute, there will be disappointment within the Hornets camp they were unable to hold on for all three points away to Everton, but it was an enterprising performance which evidenced the array of attacking talent they have. It was also impressive given the number of new players and nationalities within the…

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