Prediction: Watford vs Newcastle

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: bet365

As the Premier League in 2018 draws to a close, there are still a series of games for us to look forward to and enjoy. Some will be contested by the top sides in the division, whereas others will pit two sides against one another who should be harbouring realistic ambitions of a top half finish. One is in a better position than other and that much is obvious, but at the same time, Watford and Newcastle United both have the kind of squad that is bound to bring them back from the brink of collapse.

Watford

Watford are an extremely entertaining team to watch in the Premier League, mainly because they never seem to know when they’re beaten. They’re going to scratch and claw throughout the entire game in search of a winner or an equaliser, and that’s what we love about them. If they can find some stability in the managerial department, and if they can bring in one or two bigger names in January and then in the summer, they could easily become a consistent top half team.

Team News

It seems as if Javi Gracia is going to make very few changes as he has done throughout the course of the Christmas period, although Christian Kabasele will be looked over before the game following his nasty injury on Boxing Day.

Newcastle

Rafa Benitez has made no secret of the fact that changes need to be made on Tyneside in order for him to be able to do his job. The gaffer has been very clear with his demands and while Mike Ashley may not be all too interested on following through with that, it feels like he’ll cave sooner rather than later. In terms of this season there are several teams in the running for the relegation battle, and it feels like Newcastle should have enough to finish at least 17th.

Team News

Newcastle will be without Darlow and Clark as well as Ki Sung-yueng who is away on international duty, with question marks still surrounding Salomon Rondon and Jonjo Shelvey who are fighting to get back to full fitness.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at Watford’s Vicarage Road.
• Watford have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Newcastle have won one, drawn two and lost three of their last six games.
• Newcastle lead the overall head to head standings 16-14 with 13 draws.
• In their last meeting back in November, Newcastle won 1-0.

Conclusion

Watford know how to control the pace of a game especially at home, but the Magpies can put on a show when they want to. We think the visitors will take the lead and force the Hornets into a position where they panic, but Newcastle don’t have enough at the back to keep them out for 90 minutes. We think Watford will grab an equaliser late in the game to secure a point, and while both sides will see this as an incredibly winnable game, they won’t be all too disheartened with a 1-1 draw.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: bet365