Newcastle v Watford: Magpies' horrific home form to continue

Newcastle United v Watford
Saturday 03 November, 15:00

House that Ashley built has shaky foundations

When a manager is warning all and sundry that it's going to be a long hard season, things rarely end well. Rafa Benitez banged the drum for further investment in his Newcastle squad, only to find that he had to sell the drum.

By Premier League standards, Benitez has had to take a few risks. He traded Salomon Rondon for Dwight Gayle, and so far that swap has benefited West Brom more than Newcastle. He took the plunge by signing Yoshinori Muto from Mainz, but the Japanese speedster has only scored one goal in nine Premier League appearances. Ki Sung-yeung has only played three times in the league, and Federico Fernandez has been part of a defensive unit that has leaked 14 goals in ten games.

Newcastle have failed to win any of their first ten games of the Premier League season (Optatell us they have never failed to win in the first 11), and they have lost all five of their top-flight home games this term. Benitez has a lot of credit in the bank with Newcastle fans after taking the club into the Premier League and keeping them there, but one wonders how long it will take for the long-suffering Toon Army to lose patience.

Benitez insists that first win is around the corner, and says there were plenty of positives from the last home game, a 1-0 defeat to Brighton. However, the Magpies have now failed to score in four of their last five matches.

Rondon came on as a sub in the goalless draw with Southampton, and could start here. Elsewhere he has no fresh injury concerns.

Hornets starting to enjoy life on the road

If you'd have told Watford fans at the start of the season that the Hornets would be just a point off the top six in the Premier League after 10 matches, all but the most optimistic would've reacted with boundless glee. Javi Gracia's side is pretty much halfway to achieving the primary goal of top-flight consolidation, with 84 points still up for grabs.

Starting the league season with four straight wins set the tone, and Watford have won their last two outings against Wolves and Huddersfield without conceding a goal. On the road, Gracia has overseen just one defeat in the last four PL outings. That little sequence represents a huge improvement, as Watford had lost 11 of the previous 12 road matches in the top flight. In fact, Watford have claimed more points from those four away games than they took from the previous 16.

Watford can also take comfort from their recent form against Saturday's opponents. They have beaten the Magpies in the clubs' last four Premier League meetings, and Opta tell us they have only ever managed five PL wins in a row against Stoke City.

Nathaniel Chalobah is fit enough to feature, but has been warned by Gracia that he faces a fight to make the starting eleven. Daryl Janmaat, Sebastian Prodl and Tom Cleverley are all sidelined.

Watford can extend encouraging run

I find it strange that the Match Odds market is split down the middle, with both sides trading at 2.84 to take three points. Watford have had a far better season, and have started to consistently pick up points on the road.

Newcastle haven't collected so much as a point on home soil, but seeing as I think this will be a tight contest, I'll back the visitors Draw No Bet at 1.99.

Magpies' goalscoring woes could be a source of profit

Watford have kept clean sheets in their last two games, while Newcastle have scored in just one of their last five outings, and have played out three goalless draws already.

There's certainly evidence to suggest backing No in the Both Teams To Score market is worth a look at 1.99.

In-form Pereyra worth considering

Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra has Juventus on his cv, and he begun to really show his quality at this level. The Argentinean has already scored five Premier League goals this term, and has found the net in his last two games. At 4.40 to score in 90 minutes, he is worth a look.

If you want to use the Same Game Multi option on the Sportsbook, maybe you could back Watford to win and Roberto Pereyra to score at 8.01.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Watford Draw No Bet at 1.99