Newcastle vs Watford preview
VIDEO: The #watfordfc Weekend previews Newcastle trip with Quique, @hdgomes & Steven Berghuis. http://t.co/PnrVEuRJqt pic.twitter.com/Mi8NziM5Jd
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) September 18, 2015
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores deserves a lot of credit for helping the Hornets perform with commendable fighting spirit and collect points while transitioning 15 new players into the squad.
Newcastle United team news
- Aleksandar Mitrovic is still suspended after his straight red card in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
- Mike Williamson (elbow), Curtis Good (thigh) and Steven Taylor (knock) are all doubts.
- Paul Dummett (hamstring), Sylvain Marveaux (Gilmores groin) and Emmanuel Riviere (knee) are definitely out injured.
Watford team news
- Lloyd Doyley (neck) and Joel Ekstrand (ACL knee) remain sidelined.
- Valon Behrami begins a three-match suspension after he was sent off for a stamp on Andre Ayew last time out.
- Miguel Britos is also serving a suspension.
Newcastle United vs Watford prediction
Papiss Cisse was awful at West Ham, so Ayoze Perez could lead Newcastle’s attacks in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Florian Thauvin and Moussa Sissoko may start as the wide attacking midfielders in that system while Siem De Jong joins Georginio Wijnaldum as the central attacking midfielders.
That could see Jack Colback start deeper as the main holding midfielder protecting the back-four and recycling the ball from the base of midfield. Colback may not be a natural sitting midfielder, but he gives Newcastle much more offensively compared to Vurnon Anita and the Magpies badly need a win.
Odion Ighalo scored the winner against Swansea and was impressive with both his hold up play and movement behind the Swans’ defence. The Nigerian forward could lead Watford’s attack again in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Troy Deeney floating in the number 10 position.
Behrami’s suspension could see Ben Watson partner Etienne Capoue as the central midfielders, with Jurado and Almen Abdi coming in off the flanks as wide attacking midfielders.
If Newcastle start with Perez up top, they will not have an aerial presence plus they cannot expect a lot from crosses because Massadio Haidara lacks the quality to deliver dangerous balls in the box, while Daryl Janmaat is not crossing the ball as frequently as he did last season.
That means the Magpies have to improve their penetration through the middle by working the ball much better than they did at Upton Park.
Newcastle also have to be wary of the Hornets’ direct attacks because Sanchez Flores’ men have been good at quickly getting the ball into the offensive half and causing teams problems.
Score prediction
Newcastle United 1-1 Watford
