2019-20 Premier League: Week 30 – Watford vs Leicester

Watford look to continue their survival bid as they welcome Leicester City to Vicarage Road. 

Victory for Watford would see them move further away from the relegation zone, before their immediate relegation rivals play their matches this weekend. 

Leicester meanwhile can close the gap to second-placed Manchester City down to four points with a win here. 

 

Team News

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Watford could be set to welcome a host of players back from various knocks during their mini pre-season, including Roberto Pereyra. 

Craig Cathcart, Kiko Femenia, Adam Masina and Will Hughes could also be in contention to start if they can prove their fitness in time. 

Gerard Deulofeu (knee) and Isaac Success (Achilles) remains sidelined, whilst Daryl Janmaat (knee) is unlikely to feature this weekend. 

Leicester could be without Ayoze Perez due to a undisclosed injury, whilst Ryan Bennett (ankle) and Dennis Praet (calf) are also doubtful.

Ricardo Pereira (knee) and Daniel Amartey (ankle) are both ruled out for remainder of this season.

 

Stat Attack

• Watford have won just two of their last five league meetings against Leicester, although both wins came at home by 2-1 results (W2, L3).
• Leicester’s Jamie Vardy has scored in each of his last four starts against Watford, with the Foxes winning three of those four games (W3, L1).
• Watford’s last three home games against the Foxes have all resulted in 2-1 victories.
• No other goalkeeper than Watford’s Ben Foster has conceded two or more penalties this season.
• Leicester’s James Maddison has played the second highest number of through balls this season, only bettered by Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne who has produced 21 through balls compared to Maddison’s 19. 

 

Prediction

Watford simply have to treat these last nine games as like finals because the relegation fight is incredibly tight, with any slip-up easily punished so expect them to come out fighting. 

Leicester however will be hoping to pick up from where their season stopped after a dominant home win over Aston Villa back in March, so I can see the Foxes turning up and giving the Hornets a game irrespective of no fans being present. 

Vicarage Road however has been bit of a bogey ground for Leicester and with relegation at stake for the hosts, I do think that Watford will find a way through to get an important win. 

Prediction: Watford 2-1 Leicester

Result: Watford 1-1 Leicester