Prediction: Watford vs Manchester United

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to try and continuing closing their top-four deficit, Manchester United will make the trip to a rock-bottom Watford on Sunday afternoon.

Watford

Starting with the hosts, while Watford may have put in one of their season-best displays at Anfield last weekend, the Hornets could only slump to a 2-0 defeat and still find themselves sat rock-bottom of the Premier League standings. Opening the weekend already sat six points adrift of safety and seen to be a landslide favorite to be hit with a Championship return come May, new boss Nigel Pearson finds his side enduring a five-match winless run, losing four of those appearances. With the mood around Vicarage Road at a continued low and recording just a single top-flight victory since opening the 2019/2020 campaign, a huge part of Watford’s continued issues have been down to some rather toothless displays in the final third. Failing to find the net in any of their previous three outings, Sunday’s hosts have also recorded just a single strike in almost 400 minutes of action.

Team News

Watford pair Adam Masina and Roberto Pereyra are likely to return from respective thigh and groin injuries.

Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck miss out against their former club, while Jose Holebas, Sebastian Prodl and Daryl Janmaat are also absentees.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, while Manchester United would have been disappointed to have only snatched a 1-1 draw off of Everton at Old Trafford last weekend, the former champions have made a string of improvements nearing closer to Christmas. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men undoubtedly still boosted by their famous 2-1 win away at bitter rivals Man City earlier in the month and booking a spot in the semi-final of this year’s EFL Cup, they are enjoying a six-match Premier League unbeaten run and will also be more than aware of their stellar record against Sunday’s hosts. Securing back-to-back 2-1 wins over Watford last season, the Reds have remarkably won 15 of their last 16 matchups against the Hornets, a run that stems back to September 1986. One man who could be set to steal the show this weekend could be attacking starlet, Mason Greenwood. Bagging the equalizer against Everton on home soil last weekend, the academy graduate has bagged three goals in his last three appearances, including grabbing a Europa League brace against AZ Alkmaar last week.

Team News

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has returned to training but is not yet ready to feature, while Diogo Dalot is also stepping up his fitness.

Eric Bailly, Angel Gomes and Timothy Fosu-Mensah all remain out.

Key Factors to Consider

• Landing back-to-back 2-1 wins over Watford last season, United have won 15 of their last 16 matches against the Hornets, a run that stems back to September 1986.
• Watford have lost four of their last five Premier League matches and have recorded just one win also season.
• Youngster Mason Greenwood has three goals in his last three matches across all competitions.
• United are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matchups.
• The Reds have also scored two or more goals in all bar one of those six appearances.

Conclusion

While United would have been disappointed to have only picked up a point against Everton last weekend, the Reds should see this as a golden opportunity to bounce back. Given Watford open the weekend sat rock-bottom of the table and chasing down a six-point deficit to top-flight safety, coupled with their woeful recent record against Sunday’s opponents, we’re backing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to come away with maximum points on the road.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Bet365