Prediction: Brighton vs Watford

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: 888sport

The form of newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion and overachieving Watford FC have been quite similar this term as both sides started the league campaign well and now find themselves going through a very rough patch. The Seagulls are also dangerously close to the bottom three, meaning they will be under greater pressure in Saturday’s encounter.

Brighton

After coming close on several occasions, Brighton & Hove Albion finally secured promotion to the Premier League last May, finishing the campaign just one point behind champions Newcastle United. The club in turn made several expensive signings, but surprisingly didn’t bring too many players with Premier League experience. Nevertheless, the Seagulls enjoyed an excellent start to the season, climbing to the top half of the standings, but they have since suffered a serious dip in form. Having failed to win any of their last seven Premier League fixtures, Brighton find themselves just three points clear of the relegation zone and it is fair to say that Chris Hughton’s side are starting to feel the pressure. The Seagulls were always going to be involved in a difficult relegation tussle, meaning their current league position (13th) is not too shabby, but the team do need to arrest the dismal run of results or else they will be in real problems. The game against out-of-form Watford will feel as a very good opportunity to return to winning ways, especially since the Hornets will be missing three important players through suspension.

Team News

There have been no fresh selection worries for Chris Hughton, but Shane Duffy is banned and Steve Sidwell remains in the treatment room.



Watford

Watford managed to establish themselves as a genuine top table side in English Premier League over the years, with the likes of Quique Sanchez Flores, Walter Mazzarri and Marco Silva all doing a great job at Vicarage Road. The Hornets began the new season in style as well, taking 21 points from first 13 matches, but the team have been pretty disappointing of late. Watford lost four of last five league fixtures, while sharing spoils with Tottenham, and while they still occupy a place in the top half of the standings, the Hornets are quickly slipping towards the danger zone. Just like Brighton, they, too, need to try and put an end to the poor run of results, but serious selection problems are giving highly rated manager Marco Silva a genuine headache. He still has a number of first team players missing through injury, while another three are banned for the Brighton clash, meaning things are not looking too good ahead of the trip to Amex Stadium. The good news is that Watford have done pretty well on the road this season (4-1-4), and their record of 16 away goals is second only to the top 4 sides.

Team News

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Marvin Zegelaar and Troy Deeney are all suspended, but Tom Cleverley is available after serving a ban.

Will Hughes could be back in contention, whereas Nathaniel Chalobah, Younes Kaboul, Kiko Femenia, Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos are definitely out.

Key Factors to Consider

• Neither side won any of their last five league fixtures
• Watford boast fifth-best scoring record on the road
• Brighton failed to score in five of last six matches
• Watford unbeaten in last six meetings with Brighton (W3 D3)
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in each of their last five meetings

Conclusion

This will be a clash between two teams that are completely out of confidence after their respective dismal runs and their past meetings also suggest this will be a dire game with chances few and far between.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: 888sport