Kickoff: 15:00 UK/16:00 CET
Date: Saturday 26th August
Venue: Vicarage Road
Watford entertain Brighton in the third Premier League game of the season. The two sides meet having had differing fortunes this season with Watford having gained four points so far this season, with a draw and a win.
Whereas, Brighton are looking for their first points of the season after two 2-0 defeats in their first two games against former Premier League champions Manchester City and Leicester City.
Watford:
Watford sit in fourth place in the Premier League after their first two games having drawn 3-3 at home to Liverpool and won 2-0 away at Bournemouth last week.
New coach Marco Silva has been busy in the transfer window so far having made seven signings including Andre Gray from Burnley for £18.5 million.
From watching Watford so far this season under Silva they seem to be very impressive and he has got them playing some great football and I can see them comfortably finishing mid-table or maybe in the top-half of the Premier League if they continue the form they have shown so far this season.
Team news:
Daryl Janmaat, Tommi Hoban, Younes Kaboul and Mauro Zarate will all be missing for Watford. Andre Gray will be pushing for his first Premier League start since joining Watford from Burnley this summer.
Brighton:
Brighton sit in 18th place after the first two games having lost 2-0 to both Manchester City and Leicester City. The Seagulls have also yet to find the net with Glenn Murray coming closest to opening Brighton’s Premier League account but his effort against Leicester was ruled out for offside.
Albion have been very busy in the transfer market this summer having made 11 signings, which has seen them break their transfer record three times already.
Club Record signing Jose Izquierdo, who signed from Club Brugge this summer for £16.5 million, was granted his international clearance, the club confirmed earlier, with Chris Hughton stating that he will be involved in the squad for the game against The Hornets. Brighton will be looking to get their first points of the season after two very tough games to start the season.
Although The Seagulls have not made the best of starts to the season I can see them avoiding the drop as with the quality additions in all parts of the pitch and more signings to come, I think they will finish around mid-table this season.
Team news:
Isaiah Brown, Beram Kayal, and Sam Baldock remain sidelined for Brighton but Steve Sidwell and Glenn Murray are both hoping to be fit to play after recovering from injury. Izquierdo will push for a place in the first team and Anthony Knockaert will be looking to return to the starting line-up after recovering from injury.
Predicted line-ups:
Watford XI- Gomes, Kiko Femenia, Britos, Prodl, Holebas, Chalobah, Cleverly, Doucoure, Amrabat, Gray, Richarlison.
Brighton XI- Ryan, Bruno, Dunk, Duffy, Suttner, Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March, Izquierdo, Murray.
Head to Heads:
There have been 110 meetings between the two clubs. Watford have won 35 of these. But, Brighton have won 43 of the meetings. The other 32 times have ended as draws.
The sides last met in 2015 in The Championship, at The AMEX. Watford won the game 2-0. Watford are in good form against The Seagulls and have failed to lose any of their last five meetings between the clubs, winning three and drawing two.
Prediction:
Both clubs have done significant business this summer, with them both having spent over £15 million on one-star player along with other quality additions to their squads. Both clubs will be aiming for a mid-table finish and may even be eyeing top-half finishes if they are being ambitious. I think it’s hard to split the two sides and I can see the game finishing as a draw.
Final score prediction- 1-1
Odds:
Watford- 10/11
Draw- 23/10
Brighton- 3/1
