Watford vs Crystal Palace
Date: 07/12/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Vicarage Road
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Now coach-less for the second time this season, Watford will attempt to reignite a floundering campaign once more when they welcome Crystal Palace to Vicarage Road.
Just four games into the 2019/19 season, Watford thought it was time for Javi Gracia to pack up his things, leaving the Hornets without a manager halfway through the first international break.
Bereft of options – or maybe imagination – the board elected to appoint a more defensively-minded head coach in the form of the previously-sacked, Quique Sanchez Flores. In the hope that he would be able to crystallize a vastly experienced, leaky defence that had absorbed the most goals in the Premier League since their 5-0 demolition at the hands of Liverpool in February.
That he did. Apart from the worst loss in the club’s history, ceding the previous record set in the FA Cup final by the same opponents just earlier that year, Watford only conceded 12 goals in nine games. However, the club remained lodged in the realms of relegation with no success in sight, so the decision was made after it’s ‘six-point’ game ended in defeat against fellow relegation candidates, Southampton.
So, the second search for a head coach is underway but it would take a lot to get one over the line before the game against seventh-placed Palace for game week 16.
A common theme throughout their season thus far, despite the best attempts of multiple managers, is Watford’s failures in front of goal. In fact, in combination with their opponents this game-week, they are the only two sides to average less than a goal a game this season – Watford have only nine goals in 15 games and Palace have 14. How contrasting are their fortunes despite their mutual lack of offensive invigoration.
The pair average the least amount of shots on target in the Premier League and equally average the second-lowest number of shots inside the six-yard box. These two parameters indicate they either lack a distinct creative force or that they play without an instinctive forward.
In Palace’s case, it is hard to argue that it is either true, while it is also possible to argue that both statements could be fact. But it mostly comes down to their suffocating style of play. As a counterattacking side, they never create a copious number of opportunities so they must be clinical and finish each chance that does come.
Jordan Ayew’s ratio of four goals from nine shots on target is superb and matches the elite players of the Premier League (albeit, these players have sustained said form for longer). Meaning Palace have the players required to finish off their chances…as long as they can make some.
The Eagles are, admittedly, dead last for key passes per game meaning their struggle for a creative force is still true and alive. Hence, it is perplexing that players known mostly for their creative ability, such as Max Meyer and Victor Camarasa remain perched on the bench. However, considering Roy Hodgson’s side are currently seventh, two points off fifth, after having played every single top 10 side this season, it doesn’t seem like something worth changing.
As for Watford…they only have two players with multiple goals, the lowest number in the Premier League, and have only three players who have registered an assist, again, the lowest volume in the league. Thus it is no surprise that the only player who has registered multiple returns in both categories, Gerard Deulofeu, has been one of the best in a struggling Hornets team this season.
Obviously, it seems, Watford, for all their defensive improvement (disregarding the Manchester City outlier), still have intense problems at the front of the pitch. The problem for the new manager will be how they integrate any form of attacking philosophy into a side that only knows how to defend and barely in that regard.
Team News
Watford
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any injury relief in sight for Watford with no updates on injured players as yet. Christian Kabasele trained earlier in the week for the first time, but it is still uncertain whether a player of his stature to the club will be risked.
It will be worth watching how Watford line up this weekend with an interim manager. Whether or not they change tactics to reinvigorate the side remains to be seen.
Crystal Palace
Returning for his first start since September, Mamadou Sakho earned himself a red card just 19 minutes into play in Tuesday night’s home win against Bournemouth. He will now miss three games after being sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Gary Cahill is a chance to return as long as he passes a late fitness test, as well as Scott Dann, although the former is more likely. Roy Hodgson said “We hope to recover the pair of them for the game on the weekend [Watford]” earlier in the week, in an interview on Monday this past week.
Full-backs, Joel Ward and Patrick van Aanholt are still unavailable, as is Max Meyer who has been left out due to a mystery illness.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Watford (4-4-2): Foster; Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina; Sarr, Doucouré, Capoue, Hughes; Deeney; Deulofeu
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita; Kelly, Tomkins, Cahill, Schlupp; McArthur, Milivojevic, Kouyaté; Townsend, Ayew, Zaha
Score Prediction: Watford 0-2 Crystal Palace
After two straight wins, including an incredibly resilient, 10-man performance against Bournemouth mid-week, Palace will be expected to pick up three points and maintain their form in a tightly contested Premier League top 10. However, after any managerial change, the response is often uncanny from any side and Watford do have players capable of surprise, but injuries may debilitate them.
