Quantcast
Home   >   Match   >   Preview: Watford v Arsenal, latest team news, duo to be recalled + predicted score

Preview: Watford v Arsenal, latest team news, duo to be recalled + predicted score

By on October 14, 2017

alexandre lacazette

Arsenal get back to Premier League action when we make the short trip to Vicarage Road to take on Watford this evening.

The international break came at a bad time for us as we were in great form as we were unbeaten in our seven games in all competitions before the two-week hiatus.

Back-to-back home league victories over West Brom and Brighton mean we head in to the weekend action sitting level on points with Chelsea in fourth position in the Premier League table.

Another win over our local training neighbours would really keep the pressure on Antonio Conte’s side but Watford are a tough team to beat these days so we can’t take anything for granted.

Betting tips

Obviously we are the favourites to win the game with the bookmakers with Arsenal being offered at best odds of 4/6 to take home all three points. If you want added value then my tip would be a 2-1 Arsenal win – which is available at odds of 7/1 – while you could get 20/1 for Alexandre Lacazette to score in a 2-1 win.

Those who will be going to the match or even those who watch it in the pub with our friends won’t be near a computer during the hours leading up to the game but you can simply head over to the bet365 app download page, install the app and place your bets while on the go. This can even be advantageous as the odds can increase shortly before kick off so it’s sometimes worth waiting to place you bet once the team news has been announced.

Team news

We have plenty of injury problems to worry about as Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury while away with Germany.

Laurent Koscielny will face a late fitness test on a niggling Achilles injury while Sead Kolasinac will also be assessed after picking up a hip problem during the international break. However, both players were able to take part in training on Friday so I expect they’ll be passed fit to start this evening.

Alexis Sanchez will be checked over following his exploits with Chile but Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck have been passed fit to return after overcoming their injury woes.

As for Watford, they’ll test Andre Carrillo after he returned back late from international duty with Peru but Isaac Success has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury.

Preferred line-up

Assuming Koscielny and Kolasinac are fit, this is the team I’d go with. The main area of contention [weirdly] is whether Sanchez and Ozil should start. I don’t think we can leave Alexis out given his obvious quality while I’d also like to see Ozil given a chance to get back to his best and show his commitment to the cause.

Predicted score

It’s always tough to get back on track following an international break and so I’m expecting a tough game. Watford are a solid side these days and will cause us problems so I can see them breaching our defence. However, we have plenty of firepower to call upon and I think we’ll see Arsenal score at least two goals to secure a much-needed win. I’m going for Watford 1-2 Arsenal.