@ZAPunter provides his betting tips for the English Premier League match between Newcastle and Watford which takes place on Saturday 31st August
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS WATFORD, SATURDAY @ 16.00
Newcastle will welcome Watford to St James on Saturday for the 4th round of Premier League matches. Both sides are currently occupying the last two places in the table, with the Magpies on 3 points and the Hornets on 0. Newcastle recorded their first win of the season against Tottenham last weekend and Steve Bruce will be optimistic about this weekend fixture. Watford started their season in horrendous form, losing all 3 of their opening matches. Newcastle was knocked out of the League Cup on Wednesday evening by Leicester City and fans are frustrated seeing another cup run end earlier. Watford beat Coventry in the same competition on Tuesday. Pundits are already calling this match a relegation 6 pointer and both managers are starting to feel the pressure.
NEWCASTLE UNITED:
After all the turmoil at Newcastle during the off-season, last weekend’s result was massive for Steve Bruce and the teams morale. Losing Rafa Benitez hurt fans on Tyne-Side and any new manager would have had a difficult task to win over the fans. Newcastle fans are different compared to any team other team in the Premier League, they follow their club religiously, but will always have high expectation every game. The Magpies started their season with 2 disappointing results and performances, but showed a lot of fight away at White Hart Lane to get all 3 points. Newcastle’s current average xGf is 0.77 compared to the actual 0.67 goals per match. At the other end of the park xGa is 1.95 compared to the actual 2.33 conceded. Newcastle will need to up their game to beat a desperate Watford team this weekend.
WATFORD:
Nobody expected Watford to start the way they have after an excellent 2018/2019 season. Manager Javi Gracia is already fighting for his job and will need something to change this weekend. Watford’s defence has been the biggest issue, conceding 3 goals in 2 of their first matches. Depending on the start Newcastle has on the weekend, they will face a taught task with the Geordie fans right behind their team. Gracia will be hoping Welbeck and Sarr will be good additions to the team as they impressed on Tuesday evening. Watford’s xGf is 1.37 compared to the actual average of 0.33. Their xGa is 1.95 and the actual amount of goals conceded is 2.33. Watford should have scored more goals so far this season, but their defensive performance has been terrible. This weekend they will need to take their chances and focus on keeping Newcastle out.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS AND TEAM NEWS:
Newcastle: 5-4-1
Dubravka,
Manquillo, Fernandez, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett,
Atsu, Longstaff, Hayden, Almiron,
Joelinton
*Newcastle have a huge injury problem going into this weekend’s match. Ritchie, Krafth and Willems all picked up injuries in midweek and are big doubts for Saturday. Almiron and Joelinton are both in for late fitness tests. Another 6 additional players are out for the long term.
Watford: 4-3-3
Foster,
Janmaat, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas,
Hughes, Capoue, Doucoure,
Sarr, Deulofeu, Welbeck
*No fresh injury concerns, but club captain and leading striker Deeney will still be unavailable.
PREDICTION:
I expect both teams using caution when going into the match. Newcastle with a number of injuries and Watford in desperate need for points. Neither side will want to lose this game and this can lead to a slow-paced match. I won’t be surprised if we see a 0-0 result here, or a 1-0 victory for either team. If one team takes the lead, they will park the bus and make it very difficult for the under performing and injury prone attacking players. This won’t be the best 90min of football you will see this season!
BETTING:
Both Teams To Score – NO – 1.92 @BetOlimp
Premier League Betting Record: 7-5 (+1.69)
Premier League Best Bet Record: 3-0 (+3.81)
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
@ZAPunter
