Standing just six points off the drop zone, Javi Gracia’s Watford are not in as comfortable a position as their league position might suggest. The Hornets have not found consistency this season and have won three and lost three of the last six league games, before the international break. They lost to Liverpool and Arsenal in the last two games and will be hoping to bounce back this weekend. They are back in action this weekend when they welcome Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to Vicarage Road on Saturday.
The Cherries, who are level on points with Watford, are fresh from a victory over West Brom but have won just two of their last six games. It is a clash between teams fighting for a place in the top half of the table and Watford will believe that they can take all three points from this game, playing at home. Here is the predicted lineup Gracia might field for this tie:
Team News:
The Hornets have a number of injury concerns ahead of this tie. Nathaniel Chalobah, Gerard Deulofeu, Jerome Sinclair, Christian Kabasele, Tom Cleverley and Younes Kaboul are all ruled out for this game. But Gracia has no new injury issues after the international break to worry about ahead of this tie.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
After the debacle at Anfield, Gracia is expected to revert to a traditional backline for this game. Sebastian Prodl has been effective this season and should start at the back along with Adrian Mariappa, who has been more effective in this formation.
Kiko Femenia should be replaced by Daryl Janmaat at right-back but Jose Holebas should shift into a left-back position, from his left wing-back position from the game at Anfield. Orestis Karnezis will be looking to bounce back after the debacle against Liverpool and should keep his place under the bar.
Midfield:
Gracia has no reason to tinker with a working combination as he did against Liverpool. He should stick with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue as a midfield partnership, which could spell danger for the Cherries.
Attack:
Richarlison has been used to good effect in a no.10 role and should be used there yet again with Troy Deeney leading the attack for Watford. Both players need to be at their best for Watford to take anything from this game.
Roberto Pereyra has been superb at times this season and should keep his place on the left flank while Andre Carrillo is expected to return to the right flank this weekend.
Here is how they might line up:
