Watford are struggling to maintain balance and composure in the Premier League, with their focus appearing to be solely on the FA Cup.
The Hornets ended a four-match losing streak last weekend after securing a 1-1 draw against Everton at Vicarage Road. Both teams have FA Cup semi-finals coming up, so it was no surprise that the match was lacking in quality. Both goals were from defensive errors and neither side generated much threat.
Manager Quique Sanchez Flores called upon his midfielders to help the struggling forwards, in particular Odion Ighalo, who has dropped dramatically in form over 2016 compared to his 2015 record. Ighalo has just a 4.3% conversion rate in the New Year, with just one goal from 23 shots. This is in stark contrast to his 24.1% conversion rate in 2015 with 13 from 54 shots. The striker’s struggles continued with Jose Holebas scoring the equaliser from a corner. The draw sees the Hornets gain some much needed momentum as they head towards the end of the season.
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Stringing a few wins together would see them move into the 2016-17 campaign on a much brighter note than finishing 15th. Much of this year has seen Watford flounder from one game to the next, seeking draws and enduring losses. The team failed to show the spark and desire that was clear at the beginning of the season, and have only netted seven goals in 2016, the lowest scoring Premier League team this year. Against Everton, however, it appeared that some energy and desire had been instilled back into the side, and this game may become a turning point in the pointy end of the season for the team.
This week sees Watford head to the Hawthorns where they take on West Brom. The Baggies have not lost to Watford in their last 15 league meetings (won eight, drawn seven, lost 0), and will be looking to continue that streak heading into the business end of the EPL campaign. West Brom are currently in 14th spot, just one place above Watford and two points ahead on 40 points. With both teams bustling to move up and away from the struggling cellar-dwelling teams, it could prove to be an interesting match-up.
A win for Watford would see them rise above the ‘threshold’ of 40 points (to 41), definitively putting them out of a relegation battle (which is highly unlikely anyway with Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland performing so badly). They play Aston Villa the week after their FA Cup match, and also take on Sunderland for their end of season match. Getting to that safety net of 40 points with a handful of games to go would also relieve some pressure and allow the team to focus on their upcoming trip to Wembley to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals. The winner of that will face either Everton or Manchester United in the final.
5 – Fewest shots on target in the PL so far in 2016:
Manchester United 46
Watford 40
Norwich 39
Aston Villa 36
WBA 31— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 11, 2016
This away day at the Hawthorns is a big task for Watford, and a win would surely set them up with renewed energy and momentum to take into the FA Cup semi-final game. History, however, is not on the side of the Hertfordshire club. In their last seven trips to the ground, the Hornets have failed to keep a clean sheet, and over the last 27 meetings between the clubs, they have failed to beat the Baggies after conceding a goal. If there was ever a time to bust a stat, this match would be it. The last time these two met was back in August at Vicarage Road, where it ended up a 0-0 draw. Quique Flores’ men also take on West Ham just days before their cup match against the Eagles, so expect them field a stronger team against West Brom, and most likely a weaker one against the Hammers.
The return of Jose Manuel Jurado to the midfield after his injury has injected the side with a bit of impact. Against Everton he was one of the better players. Etienne Capoue and Ben Watson resumed their rather effective partnership in the central-midfield, and alongside Jurado will provide some much needed support for Troy Deeney and Ighalo. It will be a tough match away at West Brom, but if the team can come away with a win, which is a distinct possibility, then they will have taken four points from two challenging fixtures and would certainly take the pressure off their season, allowing them to enjoy the final run-in, and gear up for their exciting trip to Wembley in a week’s time.
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