PREVIEW: Watford vs West Bromwich Albion – 03/03/18

Watford vs West Bromwich Albion

Date: 03/03/18

K/O: 15:00pm

Venue: Vicarage Road 

Referee: Paul Tierney

West Brom make the trip to Vicarage Road on the back of four consecutive losses, as they languish at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Seven points from safety and struggling, the Baggies continue to rely on Alan Pardew to guide them and avoid relegation. With just four goals in their last six games, the Baggies have some “kind” fixtures, but their turnaround needs to be now.

Watford under new man Javi Gracia have been on the mend after a turbulent period that resulted in the departure of Marco Silva. With two wins in their last three games, the Hornets have gained seven points under Gracia, who has shown good flexibility, as the club sits 10^th in the Premier League table. While Watford weren’t impressive last week, a late Troy Deeney winner secured all three points for the Hornets.

Team News:

West Brom (20^th – 3-11-14 | Last 5 – LLLLD)

On the pitch, the Baggies continue to struggle for goals, as defenders Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi have scored two goals in the last five games, which equals that of Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez. Off the pitch, Alan Pardew was a left answering questions, after Chris Brunt questioned the tactics in the Baggies 2-1 loss last weekend. “I’d be foolish and not a good manager if I didn’t listen to those comments. Hopefully I can come up with some answers for Saturday,” said Pardew.

While the game shouldn’t be played out in the media, there has been lots of speculation about Pardew finishing out the season as the Baggies manager, just 13 weeks after Tony Pulis was sacked. West Brom have just one win under Pardew since taking over in November. The trip to Vicarage Road will challenge the Baggies at both ends of the pitch, as Watford have looked in better form the last few game-weeks.

Watford (10^th – 9-6-13 | Last 5 – WLWDL)

On the back of a rather lackluster performance last week, home to Everton, Troy Deeney struck a late winner in the 79^th minute to see off the Toffees and move into 10^th place. The Hornets will be without winger, Gerard Deulofeu, as he remains sidelined with a stress fracture. “I think he will recover some time soon but it depends on many things how long he will be out. I think he will be back before the end of the season,” said Javi Gracia. Watford will miss Spaniard’s explosiveness and creativity down the wing. However, the potential return of Will Hughes and Didier Ndong should boost a midfield that has struggled for fitness much of the season.

Defensively, the Hornets were just one of two teams to keep a clean sheet behind the play of Adrian Mariappa and stand in goalkeeper, Orestis Karnezis. Both squad players have featured recently due to injuries in the back line. Watford brought on Kiko Femenia last week in the 56^th minute for a struggling Richarlison, as Gracia changed to a 4-4-2 midway through the second half. The defense received another boost as Miguel Britos and Heurelho Gomes also returned to fitness and were available on the bench.

Predicted Starting XI’s:

West Brom (4-4-2): Foster, Evans, McAuley, Hegazi, Dawson, McClean, Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips, Rodriguez, Rondon

Watford (3-4-2-1): Karnezis, Holebas, Prodl, Mariappa, Femenia, Doucoure, Capoue, Richarlison, Pereyra, Carillo, Deeney

 Prediction: Watford 2 West Brom 0

Form will continue to escape the Baggies as they struggle against the resurgent Watford defense. They will need to rely on set pieces and goal prowess of Dawson and Hegazi, as West Brom continue to look for goals. Watford won’t have it easy, as Gracia could run out a different formation after some success last week shifting to a 4-4-2 due to the injury of Deulofeu. The midfield play for Watford will be key in controlling the game and creating chances. Andre Carillo will need to step up in the absence of Deulofeu. Look for Deeney to remain on target and pick another goal for the Hornets.

Written by Stephen Toumi (@6thGoal).