One of the most important fixtures in the English Premier League this weekend takes place at Vicarage Road as Watford meet Burnley. This is a huge game in terms of relegation and the hosts begin the weekend in 19th place on 22 points while the visitors are in 17th place on 31 points.
Watford come into the game on the back of a heavy 5-1 loss at title chasing Manchester City last weekend. It was little surprise to see The Hornets come away without anything to show for their efforts but they would have wanted to at least keep the score respectable.
🔒 Attention locked in on #WATBUR 💪@premierleague | #UTC pic.twitter.com/IXyaDmkizl— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 26, 2022
🔒 Attention locked in on #WATBUR 💪@premierleague | #UTC pic.twitter.com/IXyaDmkizl
Havin fallen 2-0 down in the early stages, Watford got a goal back in the 28th minute but Manchester City extended their advantage before half-time and added 2 more goals early in the second half.
That result means Watford have lost each of their last 4 matches, all of which have been in the Premier League. In addition to the loss at Manchester City, there have been defeats at Liverpool and at home to Leeds United and Brentford.
Trends show Watford have won only 1 of their last 9 Premier League games. Their home form has been dreadful and Watford have lost each of their 10 league matches at Vicarage Road.
They have conceded 2 or more goals in each of their 6 most recent home fixtures and both teams have scored in 3 of their last 5 Premier League games on home soil.
Burnley make the trip to Vicarage Road in good spirits following their 1-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the weekend.
The only goal of the game was scored in the 62nd minute and that result was enough to lift The Clarets out of the relegation zone.
The victory over Wolves means Burnley are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 Premier League fixtures. There have been wins over Everton, Southampton, and Wolves at home plus a 1-1 draw at West Ham United.
There will still be some concern over their away form and Burnley have failed to win any of their last 4 away trips in the Premier League.
In fact, Burnley have won just 1 of their last 17 away league games, which is a poor record.
Team news and Watford are without Cucho who has a hamstring injury. They also have doubts over the fitness of Juraj Kucka, and Kiko Femenia, Francisco Sierralta, and Samuel Kalu.
Burnley will be without the injured trio of Ashley Westwood, Ben Mee, and Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Maxwel Cornet, Jay Rodriguez, and Erik Pieters are doubts.
This is a massive match in terms of relegation and the last chance saloon for Watford.
They must win this game but come up against a Burnley team who have turned things around recently and will be feeling confident. Therefore, we expect to see Burnley come away with a narrow 1 goal margin of victory, with both teams scoring.