Watford will be travelling to the Emirates for their Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Sunday. The Hornets are coming off an impressive 2 wins on the trot against Everton and West Brom but this fixture will be a different challenge altogether.
They were on a downhill curve during the Christmas period but on Javi Gracia’s appointment, they are back in the top 10 of the points table. The relegation battle is hopefully on the backboard now that they are 9 points clear of the back three but with just 9 games left in the season, nothing can be guaranteed.
The bottom half of the table is very tightly contested with almost every team vying for a place in top-division English football in the next season. Arsenal are on a mission as well to earn a seat in the Champions League qualification spot.
However, their chances of making it into the top-4 were greatly diminished after the 1-2 loss to Brighton And Hove Albion last week. Their shambolic run of 4 losses in all competitions will rule them out as guaranteed winners in this contest.
A 13-point gap has opened up between them and Tottenham Hotspur in the 6th spot of the points table and Arsene Wenger still remains hopeful of making the comeback. The team’s morale has been turned around after the Thursday night win over AC Milan by 2 goals to nil.
To take on the motivated North London side will be no easy task but one Gracia will be eager to get some points out of. Here is how Watford might lineup on game day.
Gracia is expected to field his men in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Defence
Orestis Karnezis has replaced Heurelho Gomes in the starting lineup after the 37-year-old went down to injury earlier in the season.
Daryl Janmaat should find himself in the right-back position with Marvin Zeegelaar on the other end.
Sebastian Prödl is expected to pair up with Miguel Britos in the centre-back positions.
Midfield
Abdoulaye Doucouré is the expected to pair up in the holding midfield role alongside Etienne Capoue. The duo is well balanced in their duties on both ends of the pitch and has worked well together in the past.
Roberto Pereyra might feature in the attacking midfield position ahead of the injured Tom Cleverley.
Richarlison is the predicted starter on the left flank with Andre Carrillo on the right.
Attack
Troy Deeney is on an impressive run scoring the 2 goals in the last 2 fixtures. He should get the nod again in the number nine role.
