Watford vs Man Utd predictions, preview & confirmed team news
Manchester United will look to continue their strong run of form when they travel to struggling Watford on Sunday.
After a mixed start to the season, the Red Devils now find themselves on a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions, which has seen them shoot up to eighth place in the Premier League table and advance into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Things couldn’t be any more different for Watford, who are stranded at the bottom of the table with just nine points and one win from 17 games. Furthermore, they are the only remaining Premier League side yet to register double figures in goals scored, finding the net just nine times — at least six fewer than any other side in the English top flight.
Can the Hornets put up an unlikely fight against the Red Devils, or will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brush Nigel Pearson aside? Read on for our Watford vs Manchester United preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Watford vs Man Utd and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Sunday, 22 December 2019
Kick-off: 2:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event
Last five meetings: Watford vs Man Utd
30 Mar 2019: Man Utd 2-1 Watford (Premier League)
15 Sep 2018: Watford 1-2 Man Utd (Premier League)
13 May 2018: Man Utd 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
28 Nov 2017: Watford 2-4 Man Utd (Premier League)
11 Feb 2017: Man Utd 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Watford (LLLLL) 4-11 Man Utd (WWWWW)
Ones to watch
Watford: Ben Foster
Let’s face it, Ben Foster is probably going to be a very busy guy on Sunday.
Watford have conceded the third-highest number of goals in the Premier League this season and with an attack as blunt as theirs, that needs to change fast if they’re to stand any hope of staying up.
United meanwhile have one of the fastest, most dynamic attacks in the Premier League, meaning Foster is likely to have plenty of work to get through against his former club.
Key stat: Foster has faced 211 shots in the Premier League so far this season.
Man Utd: Marcus Rashford
It’s pretty safe to say Marcus Rashford has finally started reaching his true potential. For so long, the England international has had bags of ability, but failed to turn up when it really matters and lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.
But Rashford already has 14 goals in 23 games across all competitions this season, beating his previous career-best of 13 in a single campaign, and has bagged against the likes of Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea in 2019/20.
Solskjaer will look to him to exploit an already demoralized Watford defence.
Key stat: Rashford has scored 38% of Man Utd‘s Premier League goals this season.
Team news
Watford
🚨 TEAM NEWS 🚨
We're unchanged from last weekend!
Pereyra & Masina return to the bench!#WATMUN pic.twitter.com/kshiTKIJKv
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) December 22, 2019
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Man Utd
👥 #MUFC team news time! Here's how we'll line up for #WATMUN…
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2019
Squawka prediction
United are on a great run right now and will head to Vicarage Road full of confidence on Sunday. Armed with the likes of Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James up front, Solskjaer‘s men may have too much pace for Watford.
Speaking of which, this fixture has hardly been kind to the Hornets over the years and given the recent form of the two sides, it’s hard to see Pearson’s side standing a chance.
Scoreline prediction: Watford 0-2 Man Utd
Check out more of Squawka’s betting tips here.
