Football Previews

Wolves vs Watford preview, predictions & team news

By Steve Jennings

Published: 13:10, 28 September 2019

The Premier League’s remaining winless sides, Wolves and Watford, go head-to-head on Saturday aiming to get three points on the board for the first time this season.

Watford have already made a change in the dugout, bringing Quique Sanchez Flores back in. He started with a hard-fought draw against Arsenal but fell to a humiliating 8-0 defeat at Manchester City last weekend.

Meanwhile, Wolves have struggled to juggle their Premier League fixtures with Europa League duties so far this term, but a home game against another struggler is a good chance to grab a first victory.

Read on for our preview, predictions, team news, possible XIs and more.

When is Wolves vs Watford and where can I watch live?

Competition: Premier League

Venue: Molineux Stadium

Date: Saturday, 28 September 2019

Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST

TV coverage (UK): N/A

Last five meetings: Wolves vs Watford

27 April 2019: Watford 1-2 Wolves (Premier League)

07 April 2019: Watford 3-2 Wolves (FA Cup)

20 October 2018: Wolves 0-2 Watford (Premier League)

07 March 2015: Wolves 2-2 Watford (Championship)

26 December 2014: Watford 0-1 Wolves (Championship)

Aggregate Score: Wolves (WLLDW) 7-8 Watford (LWWDL)

Ones to watch

Wolves: Raul Jimenez

Despite Wolves’ slow start to the season, the form of Raul Jimenez has been promising, especially in Europa League qualifying. The Mexican now needs to translate that form into the Premier League, where he has found the net just twice so far. That isn’t bad for a winless team, but the more goals Jimenez scores the more likely Wolves are to climb out of the relegation zone.

Key stat: Raul Jimenez has scored eight goals in 13 appearances this season, including Europa League qualifiers.

Watford: Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck is finally nearing full fitness and could be handed another rare start here. His goal against Swansea was his first since he last found the net for Arsenal against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League in October 2018. That strike could give him the confidence needed to revive his Premier League career, but his fitness must obviously be managed carefully.

Key stat: Danny Welbeck’s goal against Swansea in midweek was his first for 334 days.

Team news

Wolves

Nuno Espirito Santo made several changes for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Reading, so Wolves will re-introduce a number of regulars. Willy Boly recovered from injury to play against Crystal Palace last weekend and was rested in midweek, so he should be back in the starting line-up, as should the likes of Conor Coady and Jimenez. Roman Saiss is also back in contention after completing his one game ban for a red card last weekend.

Predicted XI: Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jota, Jimenez.

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Watford

Troy Deeney is the only Watford player unavailable because of a knee injury. Craig Cathcart is back in training and in contention, while Welbeck could start after impressing against Swansea City in the League Cup.

Predicted XI: Foster; Femenia, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas; Capoue, Doucoure; Pereyra, Cleverley, Deulofeu; Welbeck. 

Squawka prediction

Wolves’ winless run surely can’t go on for much longer. The same could be said for Watford, but Wolves’ home advantage is bound to work in their favour on Saturday. A high-scoring affair probably isn’t on the cards; in fact, there is a good chance Watford will draw a blank with the hosts are determined enough to stay tight at the back.

Scoreline prediction: Wolves 2-0 Watford