Verdict: Anthony Martial to score anytime
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
With their sights set on making a top-four charge at the back end of the season, Manchester United will welcome Watford to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while United may not have been at their best amidst tough conditions on Thursday night, the Reds did pick up a 1-1 draw away at Club Brugge in midweek and they should still be boosted by their 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the week. Now unbeaten in their last five appearances since their shock defeat against Burnley in Manchester last month, the former champions find themselves sat just three points adrift of the top-four and the mood around Old Trafford could be on the rise. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men might be continuing to show some worrying inconsistencies on home soil, there is no doubt that the Norweigan icon will be most impressed by Anthony Martial’s recent purple patch. With Marcus Rashford set to miss the rest of the season with a back injury, the Frenchman once again found the net on foreign soil in midweek and the 24-year-old has now found the net in back-to-back outings.
Team News
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay is likely to be in the squad for the first time since suffering a knee ligament injury on Boxing Day.
Odion Ighalo could make his home debut and a first start, while Mason Greenwood is struggling with illness.
Watford
As for the visitors, throwing away another lead at fellow relegation scrappers Brighton last time out, Watford have hit yet another sluggish patch after a bright start to life under Nigel Pearson. Including watching Everton snatch three second-half goals at Vicarage Road, the Hornets also came crashing out of the FA Cup away at League One strugglers Tranmere last month. Losing three of their last four matches across all competitions and failing to record a single victory over the past seven weeks, the one-time Leicester boss finds his side sat back in the bottom-three and one-point adrift of safety. With Watford starting to show some of their early-season issues at the back, the Hornets also hold a worrying record at Old Trafford. Despite grabbing a stunning 2-0 win over United during the festive period, Pearson’s side have not recorded a victory in Manchester since October 1978.
Team News
Watford full-back Kiko Fermenia might return after missing seven matches because of a thigh injury.
Ismaila Sarr, who has been sidelined for four games with a hamstring problem, will be assessed.
Key Factors to Consider
- While Watford may have picked up a 2-0 win when the two sides faced off back in December, the Hornets have not recorded a win at Old Trafford since October 1978.
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions.
- Anthony Martial has found the net in back-to-back appearances.
- Watford have lost three of their last four matchups and have failed to win any of their last four Premier League appearances.
- The Hornets have recorded just two Premier League clean sheets on the road in their last 19 attempts.
Conclusion
While United may have been disappointed to have only snatched a draw away in Belgium on Thursday night, there is no doubt that the Reds should see this weekend as a real chance to extend on their unbeaten run. With Watford appearing to slip back to their old ways and without a Premier League win over the past seven weeks, Anthony Martial should be relishing the Hornets’ arrival on Sunday. Finding the net in back-to-back appearances, we’re backing the 24-year-old to extend on his tally at Old Trafford this weekend.
Verdict: Anthony Martial to score anytime
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
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