Having finally clinched their first league win of the season last weekend, Newcastle will be looking to kick on as they face a struggling Watford at St James’ Park.
Newcastle could climb out of the relegation zone with victory whilst a win will move Watford closer to safety.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesNewcastle will be without winger Matt Ritchie for two months after the Scot picked up an ankle injury against Leicester in midweek.
Ritchie joins Andy Carroll (fitness), Dwight Gayle (calf), DeAndre Yedlin (groin) and Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) on the sidelines, whilst Florian Lejeune (knee) and Jack Colback (groin) remain long-term absentees.
Miguel Almiron (ankle), Emil Krafth (muscle) and Jetro Willems (hamstring) all face late fitness tests but Joelinton is available after recovering from a groin strain.
Watford’s only absentee is captain, Troy Deeney as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
Form
Newcastle ended a two match losing streak by taking a narrow away win last Sunday at Tottenham, only to then lose in midweek to Leicester on penalties in the Carabao Cup after a 1-1 draw.
Watford are currently winless in the league but ran out 3-0 home winners over Coventry in midweek Carabao Cup action.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle took four points against Watford last season across their league meetings, which is the only two occasions in their last eight meetings in all competitions in which the Magpies avoided defeat (W1, D1, L6).
- Newcastle opened the scoring in both league meetings last season.
- Matt Ritchie is the only Newcastle player to had created double figure crosses from their three opening games, with Emil Krafth their second best with five crosses.
- Six Watford players have missed one big chance each whereas just two players (Joelinton and Krafth) have missed a big chance each for Newcastle.
- Miguel Almiron is yet to get a shot on target for Newcastle this season whereas Gerard Deulofeu has registered just one shot on target for Watford.
Prediction
Both teams will be motivated coming into this games after two strong performances in midweek despite contrasting results.
Ritchie however is going to be a huge miss for Newcastle going forward, which Watford should look to exploit given the quality of their own wingers and if Deulofeu rediscovers his form of last season then I can see an away win.
This match will however be tight with fine margins settling these two teams.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Watford
Result: Newcastle United 1-1 Watford