Premier League: Watford’s Approach Set For Sharp Dose of Reality

Arsenal vs Watford

So could this be the day where a high degree of stupidity and recklessness comes back to bite the owners of Watford Football Club?

If the Hornets do retain their Premier League status this season, it will all be down to the work of Nigel Pearson, assistant Craig Shakespeare, and his players rather than the way the club is run at the top.

For this season, especially since Pearson was appointed in December, they have produced Premier League highlights, at times inflicting a sting which hurt even the very best.

But more than victories against Man United, Wolves and eventual champions Liverpool, the duo brought spirit and belief back and revived the club’s hopes of staying up.

Watford are six points adrift of safety when the manager and his assistant arrived – and still three points clear of the drop zone when they were sacked.

Watford now travel to the Emirates needing to better Aston Villa’s result to have any chance of staying up and securing a sixth successive season in the top-flight.

Talking Points

With nothing to play for in the league and just six days until next week’s FA Cup Final, Arsenal could be forgiven for taking their eyes off the ball.

They cannot finish higher than eighth, guaranteeing their worst league season for 25 years.

Arsenal could move from 10th to 8th if they win their Premier League match against Watford — Mikel Arteta giving instructions from the touchline

Instead, it’s more likely manager Mikel Arteta will insist the players play for their final places. It’s been an impressive few weeks for the rookie boss who has masterminded victories over Liverpool in the Premier League and Manchester City in the FA Cup among others, as well as getting the best out of players who looked to be on their way out of the club.

Watford, of course, will hope for a similar result as Villa managed against the Gunners in midweek.

Although it would be a logical time to rest tired legs, they will be encouraged by Arteta’s pre-match assertion that his side has a duty towards the integrity of the league on what may be a nail-biting day at the bottom of the table.

Watford fans can hardly be encouraged though by comments of goalkeeper Ben Foster, who this week described the team’s confidence as “crazy low” after they were beaten 4-0 at home by Manchester City on Tuesday – on a night when they slipped into the drop zone.

After now parting company with permanent managers 11 times in the last eight years, this weekend could be the time karma comes back to hurt Watford’s trigger-happy approach and issue a sharp dose of reality.

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History

These two have a bit of a history.

As well as a thrilling comeback by Watford earlier this term, they have also upset the Gunners in recent seasons, including memorably when skipper Troy Deeney rubbed salt into Arsenal’s wounds with a goal in a 2-1 success after which he claimed the Gunners didn’t have the “cojones” for the fight.

Deeney has been speaking about fighting again this week, denying suggestions there was a fight in the Hornets’ dressing room during half-time in last week’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham.

Their record away to Arsenal isn’t as clever as their home form, however.

The Gunners saw off Watford 2-0 at home last season, courtesy of a late own goal and a Mesut Ozil strike, and have actually won 17 times against Watford overall, yet have lost 12 games.

Will that deter a team who will be managed by Hayden Mullins and head of goalkeeping Graham Stack for this encounter?

Watford have still managed to defeat Arsenal three times in the last nine in league and cup, including a famous 2-1 FA Cup quarter final success at the Emirates Stadium in 2016.

It’s hard to think they had only drawn once before this season. That came in the old First Division in 1984 at Highbury in a 1-1 draw.

Betting Tip

	Arsenal vs Watford	Arsenal First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.12
	July 26, 22:00 (GMT+8)

At 1X2 @ 1.98, Arsenal seem a decent bet with the SBOBET Premier League betting odds. A draw on offer @ 3.70 may be enough for Watford to survive, while a Hornets success @ 3.40 almost certainly will, I suspect.

Or how about a repeat of the September meeting – correct score 2-2 – @ 12.50?

I do expect goals in this one and total goal 2-3 @ 2.00 and 4-6 @ 2.82 both have an appeal.

Asian Handicap odds back the hosts -0.50 @ 1.98 and Watford + 0.25 @ 2.26.

With Pearson, Watford would have had a chance but I think their confidence is so low that Arsenal will win from the get-go.