Watford vs Sheffield United preview, predictions & possible XIs
Watford welcome Sheffield United to Vicarage Road this weekend as they chase their first Premier League win of the season.
The Hornets remain the only side in England’s top division yet to record a victory after seven matches played.
https://audioboom.com/posts/7383312-alisson-is-the-golden-middle-of-the-goalkeeper-venn-diagram
This is a sharp contrast to newly-promoted Sheffield United, who have already bagged two wins to date with one of them coming recently on the road at Everton.
Read on for Watford vs Sheffield United predictions, preview, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Watford vs Sheffield United and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Saturday, 5 October 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Watford vs Sheffield United
12 Mar 2011: Watford 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
02 Oct 2010: Sheffield United 0-1 Watford (Championship)
02 Feb 2010: Watford 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
15 Aug 2009: Sheffield United 2-0 Watford (Championship)
17 Jan 2009: Watford 0-2 Sheffield United (Championship)
Aggregate Score: Watford (WWWLL) 7-4 Sheffield United (LLLWW)
Ones to watch
Watford: Gerard Deulofeu
To say it’s been a painful start for Watford is an understatement. Javi Gracia became the first managerial victim of the season after presiding over their abject early performances.
Quique Sánchez Flores returned but that hard-fought point against Arsenal felt like a lifetime ago as they were pummelled 8-0 at champions Manchester City the following week.
In spite of this doom and gloom one player has shown glimpses of his quality, Gerard Deulofeu. The Spaniard has looked lively even if he’s yet to be greatly rewarded and expect him to be a thorn in the Blades side.
Key stat: Gerard Deulofeu (13) has created more chances than any other Watford player in the Premier League this season.
Sheffield United: Oliver Norwood
Sheffield United have given a very good account of themselves. Last time out they were agonisingly close to holding Premier League leaders Liverpool to a goalless draw at home.
However, it’s been on the road where they’ve been impressive. Chris Wilder’s men are unbeaten in their three away matches to date which included a win over Everton and draw with Chelsea.
Much of their success lies in midfield with Oliver Norwood pulling the strings, if anyone is to leave Watford in a daze it’s likely to be him.
Key stat: Oliver Norwood is averaging 2.13 chances created per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Watford
Troy Deeney is one of five players, including Isaac Success, not available to Quique Sánchez Flores this weekend. Despite their recent poor outings, which seen them concede 10 goals across 180 minutes of football, the Spanish tactician is expected to retain much of the lineup from last weekend’s disappointing loss at Wolves.
Predicted XI: Foster; Femenia, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue; Hughes, Cleverley, Deulofeu; Gray.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Sheffield United
The Blades travel south to Hertfordshire without the injured David McGoldrick. Chris Wilder shouldn’t tinker too much with his starting lineup that should feature three of their five Premier League goalscorers.
Predicted XI: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Robinson, McBurnie.
Squawka prediction
Watford have been downright poor this season, but as we’ve seen all too often in the past, things can change in a blink of an eye. There’s too much quality for Quique Sánchez Flores to not try and turn things around, but Sheffield United are very much the form side between the two. That being said, it could be another stalemate, though we fancy the Hornets to just about bag their first win of the season.
Scoreline prediction: Watford 2-1 Sheffield United
