Prediction: Newcastle United vs Watford

Verdict: Watford to win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: Bet 365

Watford travel to St James Park on Saturday afternoon to take on a Newcastle United team looking to end a run of three straight defeats.

Newcastle

Last week’s 4-1 loss to Manchester United was Newcastle’s third defeat in a row but there was still plenty of positives to be taken from the clash. At times the Magpies played some decent football going forward and they were the first team to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season. However, it is now one win in seven games for Rafa Benitez’s men, and that came against basement club Crystal Palace. Newcastle are 11^th in the league but they remain only five points ahead of third bottom West Ham United, and they will want to stretch the gap wider when they play Watford on Saturday. Benitez’s team have been decent at St James Park, and have picked up 10 points from 6 games in front of their own fans. However, they will be coming up against a very resilient Hornets side who have already picked up some impressive victories away from Vicarage Road this season.

Team News

Isaac Hayden will serve a one-match suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Manchester United. Jamaal Lascelles is likely to miss the game along with Christian Atsu, both through injury.

Paul Dummett will be back in contention after returning to full training while Mikel Merino is also available.

Watford

Marco Silva has had an impressive start to life as Watford manager and they currently sit eighth in the Premier League following last week’s 2-0 win over West Ham. That did end a run of three successive defeats but the Hornets will be keen to make it two victories on the bounce when they play Newcastle on Saturday. Silva’s team have already taken 10 points from six games away from Vicarage Road, scoring 12 goals in the process, with Manchester City the only team to bag more. Richarlison has been the star of the show so far this season and the former Fluminense player has scored five times in 12 matches, attracting the attention of big European clubs. However, it’s Watford’s defensive frailties that seem to be a problem and – even though they have a good record away – they have conceded 10 goals on the travels already this campaign. This could result in an entertaining game with plenty of goals.

Team News

Troy Deeney misses out again as he serves a suspension for violent conduct. Nathaniel Chalobah, Craig Cathcart, Isaac Success and Tommie Hoban still remain injured.

Sebastian Prodl and Roberto Pereyra are in contention to start after returning to the bench against West Ham. Meanwhile, Younes Kaboul faces a late fitness test.

Key factors to Consider

• Newcastle have lost just once in 12 home league games against Watford (W8 D3)
• The Magpies have now lost three games in a row and have scored just once in this run
• If Watford win this match, they will have already won more away points in the Premier League than in the whole of last season (12 points from 19 games)
• Watford beat Newcastle twice in the league last season
• The Hornets have had the most different goalscorers in the Premier League so far this campaign (12)

Conclusion

This has the makings to be a cracking game as both teams will be confident of victory. Watford manage to score goals and get results away from home, but they also concede a lot. For that reason we believe this is going to be a goal feast with the Hornets just edging victory.

Verdict: Watford to win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: Bet 365