Newcastle United suffered a hard-hitting loss in their last match against league leaders Liverpool, as they are now getting close to entering the dreaded relegation zone. However, they would look to bounce back to winning ways in their next match when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Hornets, on the other hand, lost a hard-fought affair in their own backyard against Chelsea as Eden Hazard scored twice to sink them. Roberto Perreira tried to get them back into the match with a fine strike in the first half stoppage time, but it proved futile at the end. Javi Gracia’s men would also look to turn the tide in their favour when they lock horns with Rafa Benitez’s side in their next match in the Premier League.
Team News
Newcastle United have a number of absentees in their lineup. While Ciaran Clark, Karl Darlow and Jonjo Shelvey are out with injuries, Ki Sung Yueng has left to represent his country in the Asian Cup with Florian Lejeune still struggling to get match fit.
Goalkeeper
Martin Dubravka will look to keep the disappointment from the Liverpool match aside as he conceded four against the Reds. Hopefully, he would be in better form for the game against Watford.
Defence
Benitez went in with an ultra-defensive approach against Liverpool as he opted for a five-man defensive lineup. He should not deviate from the same in the next fixture as well and could go in with the trio of Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie and Federico Fernandez to guard the heart of the backline. Paul Dummett and De Andre Yedlin would put in shifts from the left and right side of the defence respectively.
Midfield
Mohamed Diame, Issac Hayden and Kenedy would once again start in the midfield for the Magpies in their crucial clash against the Hornets.
Attack
After Yoshinori Muto once again flopped against Liverpool, Benitez could use Salomon Rondon to lead the line from the start in place of the Japanese international. Rondon should be accompanied by Joselu.
Predicted Formation: 5-3-2
