Big Match Breakdown: Arsenal v Watford
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Team news and tips ahead of Premier League clash
Arsenal will be looking to build on Thursday’s victory over AC Milan when they take on Watford this afternoon.
The Gunners ended a run of four straight defeats with success at the San Siro. Now they’ll want to pick up just a fourth win domestically since the start of 2018.
Watford have had no such problems in recent weeks. The Hornets have won three of their last four matches in the Premier League.
The Coral News Team have looked over all of the key information ahead of today’s match in another Big Match Breakdown…
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have struggled against Watford in recent years. The Gunners have lost their last two matches against the Hornets. They’ve also lost two of their last three matches with the Hertfordshire club at the Emirates Stadium.
Javi Gracia’s side took the spoils earlier in the season when goals from Troy Deeney and Tom Cleverley cancelled out Per Mertesacker’s opener at Vicarage Road.
Likely XIs
Arsene Wenger should make two changes from the team that beat AC Milan at the San Siro. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Petr Cech are expected to come back in for Danny Welbeck and David Ospina. This afternoon’s match will likely come too soon for Nacho Monreal.
Watford have fresh concerns over the fitness of Jose Holebas. The Greece international limped off against West Bromwich Albion last week and is rated 50/50. Roberto Pereyra, Richarlison and Troy Deeney should continue in a dangerous three-pronged attack.
Key Battles
When these two sides met in October, Hornets striker Deeney claimed that the Gunners were an easy side to bully. So expect the 29-year-old to be in the thick of it once again at the Emirates. His effectiveness up-front could be crucial if the visitors are to make waves in North London.
Arsenal, by contrast, will need to improve on the link-up play between Aubameyang, Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The trio clicked at home to Everton last month but have been poor since. If they can find their form, the visitors could be chasing shadows. Discipline in midfield and defence could prove the key for both sides in this contest.
Match Odds
Wenger’s men are the favourites for the match at 1/2. You can back the Hornets to continue their good form against the Gunners at 11/2. It’s 7/2 for the Draw.
As the Coral News Team have already alluded to, Deeney’s presence could be the deciding factor between the two sides. The hulking front-man has bagged two goals in his last two matches against the North Londoners and is 23/20 to Score Anytime.
The hosts will be counting on Aubameyang. The January signing took his chance against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend and is 19/20 in the Anytime market. It’s 10/3 that he steps up to Score First. Mkhitaryan, too, will fancy his chances after opening his Gunners account against Milan. You can get the Armenian at 8/5 Anytime.
Regardless of who finds the net, history suggests that there will be goals in the contest. There has never been a goalless draw between the two sides. The last 10 meetings have all seen at least three goals scored. You can back Over 2.5 Goals at 1/2 or Over 3.5 Goals at 5/4.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
