Watford will welcome Manchester United to the Vicarage Road on Sunday in one of the two games left in the first round of the Premier League campaign.
Watford have enjoyed what many will term as a campaign in shambles as the Hornets are currently last on the league table having already changed two managers this season.
Nigel Pearson’s side have only won one game in their last six games in the Premier League, losing two of the last three. Adding to that, Watford are the only team yet to register double figures in goals this season.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, have enjoyed success in the last few weeks after having a mixed start to the campaign. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after being criticized has managed to keep fans dreaming once again.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Sunday, December 22
Time: 14:00 GMT
Marcus Rashford has been a key weapon for the Manchester side after 17 games. The forward has equaled his personal best of 10 goals in a League League campaign and a goal on Sunday could see him surpass that tally.
After going six league games unbeaten against Manchester United between 1984-1986 (W2 D4), Watford have lost 14 of their last 15 against the Red Devils in the top-flight (W1).
Manchester United have won 11 of their 12 Premier League meetings with Watford (92 per cent) – only against Wigan (15/16; 94 per cent) do they have a higher win rate in the competition (min. 10 meetings).
No side are currently on a longer run without a Premier League clean sheet than Manchester United (12 games). The Red Devils last had a longer run without a clean sheet in the top-flight between September 1970-February 1971 (21 games).
Following their 2-1 win at Man City in their last away game, Man Utd are looking for back-to-back away league wins for the first time since February. They’ve lost just one of their last nine away games against sides starting the day bottom (W7 D1), going down 1-2 against Wolves in February 2011.
TEAM NEWS
Watford are likely to be without Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Sebastian Prodl, Jose Holebas and Daryl Janmaat on Sunday, while Adam Masina and Roberto Pereyra could feature in the encounter.
Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo are nearing fitness but Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah continue to work their way back. Man Utd fans will be happy to see the return of Paul Pogba after the midfielder was included in the matchday squad.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Watford: Foster; Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenia; Capoue, Hughes; Sarr, Doucoure, Deulofeu; Deeney
Man Utd: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; James, Lingard, Rashford; Martial
PREDICTION
Watford 1-2 Manchester United
