Newcastle United vs Watford
Date: 03/11/2018
K/O: 15:00
Venue: St James’ Park
Referee: Craig Pawson
It has been a bleak beginning to the Premier League campaign for Newcastle United as for just the second time in their history, they have failed to win any of their opening 10 fixtures. This weekend they welcome a high-flying Watford who are off to their best ever start to a Premier League season with 19 points from a possible 30.
In their last two fixtures, the Hornets have posted clean sheets in both after sweeping aside Huddersfield in a 3-0 win at home last weekend and before hand brushing aside a demanding Wolves side 2-0 at Molineux. As for Rafa Benitez and Newcastle, they have had contrasting fortunes; the Magpies have lost all five of their home games this season and with only two goals in their last five fixtures, picking up only two points, they remained rooted in the bottom three of the table.
Javi Gracia, who was forced into making changes two weeks ago, went with an unchanged starting XI at home last week and after goals from both Issac Success and Gerard Deulofeu it would be hard to drop those that featured heavily in this fixture. Midfielder Will Hughes said, “There is a healthy competition in the squad…all the lads know they have to be at it when they are starting or you are going to lose your spot.”
Benitez on the other hand could drop any of his players considering some of their questionable performances this season. He has called on the supporters this weekend to rally his troops saying ‘To play at home for us is always an extra motivation…I hope that our fans will realise that we need them.” As the broken promises from business tycoon, Mike Ashley, continue to frustrate home fans, they are beginning to turn on him and the club once more yet Benitez continues to stress unity is vital for results, “It was amazing to see the fans make the long trip to Southampton and to support the team.” Without doubt, if Newcastle are to get something from this Watford side on Saturday, the fans will certainly be needed at what can be a daunting place to travel.
Team News
Newcastle United
Defenders, Jamie Sterry (knock) and Florian Lejeune (knee) have both been ruled out with no return date. Ciaran Clark (thigh) has missed the last three games but could be fit, which could help strengthen a defense that has conceded 14 goals already this season. Ayoze Perez, who picked up a “knock” has been given no return date but is expected to be fit for the fixture. Media outlets report there could be some favoritism towards the out of form Perez by Benitez, but options at forward are slim.
Currently, form is something missing at Newcastle. Defensively, the team hasn’t been bad giving up just five goals in the last five games. Led by Martin Dubravka and Jamaal Lascelles, the defense has been working hard but the struggle is finding a player who can find the back of the net. Three weeks ago it was Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto each netting in a losing effort at Man United. Since then it’s been tough going offensively for the Magpies.
Since Salomon Rondon moved to Newcastle he’s featured in parts of five games with last week being his first action in four weeks. With all the question marks surrounding the fitness of Perez, Rondon may get a chance to lead the line against the Hornets but he will face strong competition from Muto who will be desperate to take his chance.
Watford
Winning seems to make everything better and the mood around the Vic has been excellent in recent weeks. The starting XI decision is consistently being a difficult one for Gracia as players continue to excel when given their chance. It would be no surprise to see Success and Deulofeu play a part as they flourished in last weeks victory. Troy Deeney has started working out with the team but will be reevaluated ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Although the attack is thriving, defensively Gracia does have a few injury concerns. Craig Cathcart picked up a knock near the end of last week and we have heard no news on his expected return. Both Daryl Janmaat (knee) and Sebastian Prodl (lower leg) have already been ruled out this weekend. That means the journeyman, Adrian Mariappa should start with Christian Kabasele in central defence with Kiko Femenia expected to continue on the right flank. Gracia is blessed with the return of Jose Holebas for the trip to Newcastle but may not be preferred over Adam Masina who has started the last two games in his absence.
At this moment in time, everything is working for the Hornets as Gracia seems to have the ‘golden touch’. Defensively Watford have looked promising with Ben Foster playing a key role in recent clean sheets. Offensively, Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure have been integral to recent attacking returns with Roberto Pereyra consistently performing exceptionally for his side.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Newcastle (4-4-1-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy; Perez; Muto
Watford (4-2-3-1): Foster; Holebas, Kabasele, Mariappa, Femenia; Capoue, Doucoure; Pereyra, Deulofeu, Hughes; Success
Score Prediction: Newcastle 0 Watford 2
All signs and recent success point towards Watford to pick up another away win. The form they have shown the last two weeks should shine at St. James’ Park. As for Newcastle United, their struggles will continue. Defensively, they have shown promise, but lack of attacking returns will see the Magpies continue their winless season.
