Watford – Arsenal

The Premier League resumes after a 1 week break, and the last match on Saturday will see Watford take on Arsenal at Vicarage Road.

Watford is currently 8th in the standings after 7 rounds, and Marco Silva has gained many praises for his results and attacking style so far this season. The hosts lost just once in the Premier League, though that was a horrible 0-6 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City a few rounds ago. Last time out, Watforded recorded a 2-2 draw at West Ham before the International break.

After a shaky start to the season, Arsenal has stepped on the gas lately and claimed 6 wins in the last 7 matches in all competitions to go along with a draw at Chelsea, a match in which Arsenal played very well. 5 of the last 6 wins came by a difference of 2 or more goals, and it`s fair to say that the current criticism the team is facing has no basis in reality. On the other hand, Arsenal is yet to win on the road in three attempts in this Premier League season.

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Team news & lineups:

Watford will miss Chalobah, Hoban, Cathcart and Success, while Prodl, Carrillo and Kaboul are doubtful. Arsenal will be without Cazorla, Chambers and Mustafi, but plenty of other players are questionable (Ozil, Sanchez, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Coquelin and Welbeck).

Watford: Gomes – Femenia, Kabasele, Britos, Holebas – Doucoure, Capoue – Carrillo, Cleverley, Richarlison – Gray

Arsenal: Cech – Holding, Koscielny, Monreal – Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac – Ozil, Iwobi – Lacazette

If Kolasinac won`t be available, expect Mertesacker to deputise at center back and Monreal to take the duties at left winger.

At a first sight, this might look like a potential banana skin for Arsenal. Watford has claimed great results this season, while many are still unimpressed with Wenger’s side.

However, a closer look will reveal this might be a very good opportunity for Arsenal to claim three points. There are a multitude of factors which work in their favor and / or make Watford overrated ahead of this clash.

Firstly, Watford might have claimed good results, but that was largely against accessible opposition. They have met top opponents only twice this season, both times at home. They drew 3-3 with Liverpool in the first round thanks to a 94th minute equalizer, and they lost 0-6 to Manchester City three rounds ago. Also, Watford is yet to win at home, recording two draws and 1 loss.

There`s also the fact that Watford plays an attacking minded brand of football, but their good offense comes at the expense of their defense. Watford allowed 12 goals already this season, the most of any club situated in the top 14 places. That isn`t good news when you play against Arsenal, as you have to be able to effectively park the bus against them – that isn`t something Watford is comfortable doing under Marco Silva, and it`s no surprise they allowed 9 goals in two matches against Liverpool and Man City this season.

Not lastly, Watford lost 0-3 and 1-3 in the two matches they played at home against Arsenal since they got promoted in 2015.

All the above are good arguments in favor of Arsenal here, and I believe they will make the game easier for the Gunners than it looks on paper. Arsenal does have some worrying injury concerns, but on the other hand so does Watford.

Wenger’s men are playing very well right now, despite many negative comments, and I can definitely see them keeping the winning streak alive. Their offense should be a winning matchup for them against Watford’s shaky defense.

My tip is Arsenal to win, I won all 4 of my bets on their matches this season (three on them to win) and I`m confident for the 5th. Prediction: Watford – Arsenal 1-2.

Pick: Arsenal
Odds: 1.65
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.20
Event date: 14 October