Watford to resume winning ways
Watford travel to Craven Cottage to battle Fulham this weekend. The Hornets are coming off of their first loss of the Premier League season, 2-1, to Manchester United.Despite losing to the Red Devils, Javi Gracia’s team played well at times and were deserving of a point against Manchester United.
Fulham are coming off of a loss as well as the Cottagers were downed 3-0 by Manchester City. Slavisa Jokanovic’s team hasn’t adapted well to life in the Premier League. The team has taken just four points from 15. Fulham may be in for a relegation battle, if they don’t improve soon.
The two clubs last met in the English Championship during the 2014-15 season. Watford won both matches putting six goals past Fulham in two fixtures while keeping two clean sheets. The talent on both teams is far better now than it was four seasons ago, however.
Watford could be in store for a big day in front of goal against Fulham. Jokanovic’s defence has been porous, allowing 12 goals in five matches. Fulham have allowed the most goals in the Premier League and possess a –5-goal difference. They have allowed two or more goals in each of their five Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Watford have seen 2.5 or more goals in each of their last four games. Goals could be flying in at Craven Cottage.
Fulham go into the weekend with captain Tom Cairney out injured. The midfielder suffered an ankle injury prior to the team’s match against Manchester City and will remain sidelined this weekend.
Defender Tim Ream, who was so important to Fulham’s promotion last term, is also out. He is yet to play this season, which is one reason Fulham’s defence has been so bad. Gerard Deulofeu is Watford’s only injury worry. The winger hasn’t played this term, but Gracia hopes to have him back soon.
Jokanovic doesn’t know his best starting XI yet. Fulham signed eight new players in the offseason and they are yet to gel. Jokanovic will still play exciting attacking football despite Fulham’s awful goals allowed record. Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic have played well with the latter scoring four goals already.
Watford sit fourth in the Premier League and unbelievably, if results go their way this weekend, would be joint top of the table. Gracia has the team believing they can win matches. The Hornets are mentally strong and an away date against Fulham is just what they need after a narrow defeat to Manchester United.
Fulham’s defensive record will see the them slump to a fourth defeat. Watford’s swashbuckling play this season has shown they can take points off of anyone in the Premier League. Saturday will see Watford reach 15 points with a win at the Cottage.
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