Newcastle United who were having a terrific 2018, have suffered a bit of dip in form lately. After winning four consecutive games in a row, they have now lost two games with narrow margins and one of them was against relegation-doomed West Brom. However, these results shouldn’t take the sheen away from what the Magpies have achieved this season.
Even after those two defeats they are sitting on the top half of the table and will be travelling to Vicarage Road to take on Watford. Benitez will be looking to end the season on a high and a top half finish for them will be considered as a successful campaign as they were expected to be in a relegation scrap at this point in time.
Watford, on the other hand, are winless in their last six games and have picked just two points in that time. However, they seem to be relatively safe from the relegation zone as they are on 38 points.
Both the teams are pretty much safe and don’t have much to play for, however, both will be looking to stop their recent slide and will look to end the season on a high.
Mikel Merino and Christian Atsu are the only absentees for the Toons and here is how Benitez’s team will most likely lineup at the Vicarage road.
Formation(4-4-1-1)
Defence:
Martin Dubravka who is on loan from Sparta Prague seems to be winning the race for the number 1 choice as Benitez has preferred him over Karl Darlow and Rob Elliott in last few encounters. So Dubravka will be expected to be in between the sticks. Jamaal Lascelles has had a breakthrough season and will be starting at the back. He will be partnered by Florian Lejeune. Javier Manquillo might start over Paul Dummett as the season draws to an and with safety pretty much in sight, Benitez will look to give opportunities to more players. Deandre Yedlin will play in his usual right-back role to complete the back four.
Midfield:
Mohamed Diame will start in the middle of the park along with the impressive Jonjo Shelvey. Shelvey has been an important player for Benitez as he has been pulling the strings from midfield. Jacob Murphy might start from the right as Benitez will like to give more playing time to the English winger. Kenedy will play in the right midfield.
Forward:
Dwight Gayle has been guilty of missing quite a few chances in the last two games and that might push Matt Ritchie to play the role behind the main striker and Ayoze Perez might lead the attack for the Toons.
