Watford vs Burnley preview, predictions & possible XIs
Watford will be looking to build on their success at Norwich before the international break as they host Burnley on Saturday.
The Hornets became the 91st and final team in the football league to win a game this season as goals from Gerard Deulofeu and Andre Gray secured an impressive victory over fellow strugglers Norwich.
Burnley comfortably disposed of West Ham in their last game as they ran out 3-0 winners. The win was much-needed after three consecutive losses and the Clarets will view this as an opportunity to boost their points total further against a Watford side who are yet to win at home this season.
Read on for Watford vs Burnley preview, predictions, team news and more.
When is Watford vs Burnley and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Saturday, 23 November 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Watford vs Burnley
19 January 2019: Watford 0-0 Burnley (Premier League)
19 August 2018: Burnley 1-3 Watford (Premier League)
7 April 2018: Watford 1-2 Burnley (Premier League)
9 December 2017: Burnley 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
4 February 2017: Watford 2-1 Burnley (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Watford (DWLLW) 6-5 Burnley (DLWWL)
Ones to watch
Watford: Andre Gray
Andre Gray came on as an early replacement for the injured Roberto Pereyra at Carrow Road and scored his second goal of the season with a nicely taken backheel. Watford have struggled for goals this season (they’ve managed just eight in the league thus far), so Gray’s strike could well see him return to the starting line-up on Saturday.
Gray scored 32 times in 73 appearances for Burnley in a two-year spell with the club (including 23 in a promotion season) and is a fairly unpopular figure in Lancashire. Gray scored in his only appearance against Burnley for Watford in a 3-1 victory and will be hoping to add to that record at the weekend.
Key stat: No one has scored more Premier League goals (2) for Watford than Andre Gray this season.
Burnley: Chris Wood
Not many teams these days play a traditional 4-4-2, but Burnley are an exception. In Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, they have two out and out strikers who seem to be capable of doing everything at the moment. Both physical presences with a turn of pace, the pair caused West Ham all sorts of problems and both scored in the 3-0 win.
Chris Wood has perhaps flown under the radar this calendar year after Barnes’ sparkling form, but don’t underestimate him. He’s already notched five times this season – no one has scored more for Sean Dyche’s side.
Key stat: Chris Wood has scored in two of Burnley’s last three away games.
Team news
Watford
Pereyra was forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad over the international break and is expected to miss out. Troy Deeney returned to the bench against Norwich and will likely get some minutes here, but Christian Kabasele is suspended.
Predicted XI: Foster; Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Dawson, Holebas; Capoue, Doucoure, Hughes; Gray, Deulofeu.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Burnley
Wood was forced to miss training in the week for New Zealand with a sore hamstring but is expected to return. Danny Drinkwater played for the U-23 side in the week and will be looking to break into the squad sooner rather than later.
Predicted XI: Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Wood, Barnes.
Squawka prediction
Watford should have their tails up after their win at Norwich but Burnley will view this as the perfect away day. Quique Sanches Flores will surely set his team up to attack on home soil, allowing Burnley space to counter. Watford’s defensive frailties could be exposed here.
Scoreline prediction: Watford 0-2 Burnley
