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PREVIEW: West Ham vs Watford – 10/02/18

West Ham vs Watford

Date: 10/02/2018

K/O: 15:00pm

Venue: London Stadium

Referee: Graham Scott

West Ham play host to Watford at the London Stadium in a crucial game for the respective Premier League seasons of both these sides.

Overview:

As kick off approaches, West Ham and Watford will be playing for an important three points, as they look to stay ahead in the relegation battle. Three points (30 vs 27) separate the two teams in the middle of the table, but are moving in opposite directions after Gameweek 26.

West Ham conceded 3 goals to Brighton and continue to struggle defensively. Plagued with injuries and a suspension to Arthur Masuaku, the Hammers signed 36-year old journeyman, Patrice Evra to contract through the end of the year to help David Moyes’ squad. Offensively, the last 3 games have seen just 3 goals as Pedro Obiang, Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll remain sidelined due, lacking fitness.

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Watford has not escaped the injury bug, as they have 8 players still sidelined and unavailable. The January transfer signing of Gerard Deulofeu helped spark the Hornets to a 4-1 victory over Chelsea on Monday, their highest goal output of the season. Watford will look to put further distance between the club and the relegation zone, which is separated by just 6 points as of kickoff.

Team News:

West Ham (12th – 6-9-11 | Last 5 – LDDWD)

Like Watford, West Ham has struggled on and off the pitch. The recent suspension of Masuaku sees him join a growing list of offensive injuries that have the Hammers looking for goals, scoring just 3 in their last 3 games. More concerning was the lack of defense as Brighton posted 3 goals in the last fixture. Evra, 36, joins Pablo Zabaleta (33) and James Collins (34) in the back, but see him as a leader in the locker room, losing pace on the pitch.

The arrival of Joao Mario in the midfield has offered some relief due to injuries, but has recorded just 2 shots in his first 2 games. West Ham is lacking the creativity carried by Manuel Lanzini, sidelined by a hamstring. Up front, Javier Hernandez capitalized on his one shot against Brighton, but continues to lack service inside the box.

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West Ham will look to be more consistent on the pitch, as Adrian said, “I think we didn’t play well,” after their loss Sunday. Sitting 12th in the table, every point is important, as clubs look to the elusive ’40 points’ that should stave off relegation. However, with just 8 chances created in the last 4 games, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mario and Mark Noble will need to creative in order to give Hernandez opprotunites. He’s had just 3 attempts in the last 4 games resulting in 2 goals.

Watford (11th – 8-6-12 | Last 5 – WDLDL)

On the back of a massive 4-1 victory over the former champions, Chelsea, the Hornets look to maintain momentum to secure an important three points. Even with Chelsea playing with 10-men, Watford looked the better team last Monday, outplaying the champions and showing more heart. Led by Gerard Deulofeu, the Barca loanee was instrumental going forward as he scored on his home debut. Abdoulaye Doucoure controlled the midfield and contained Chelsea, breaking up play and pushing Watford forward on the attack.

Defensively, Javi Gracia set up with Daryl Janmaat and Marvin Zeegelaar in wingback positions, allowing them to build from the back, but able to drop back and allow 5 defenders when Chelsea had the ball. This formation appeared to work well for the Hornets as they were rarely caught out of position defensively.

The key this week for Watford is to keep the momentum from the Monday victory over Chelsea. The play of the midfielders will be the key to game, if the Hornets control the ball through Doucoure and Etienne Capoue. Richarlison, subbed off at 67 and 64 minutes the past 2 games by Gracia, allegedly due to fatigue. New boy Deulofeu could be the catalyst that Watford needed to turn things around during the business end of the season.

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Predicted Lineups:

West Ham (3-4-2-1): Hart, Rice, Ogbanna, Collins, Cresswell, Noble, Zabaleta, Byram, Mario, Kouyate, Hernandez

Watford (3-4-2-1): Karnezis, Holebas, Prodl, Mariappa, Zeegelaar, Doucoure, Capoue, Janmaat, Richarlison, Deulofeu, Deeney

 Predicted Score: West Ham 1 Watford 2

Both West Ham and Watford haven’t been in the best form recently, but look to grab an important 3 points to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Injuries plague both clubs, but the lack of offensive assets for West Ham will see them struggle against a new look Watford defense with wing backs in play. The pace of Richarlison and Deulofeu down the channels will be too much and Watford should dictate the pace of play and put together a 2-game winning streak.

Written by Stephen Toumi.

Stephen Toumi

Watford supporter! #FPL ID#446 | Vegan | Craft beer enthusiast, homebrewer #FPLBeerClub | #30SecondBeerReview Host of Pitch & Pint Pod #pitchpintpod

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