NEWCASTLE VS WATFORD: PREVIEW
- Bobby Vincent
- Nov 2, 2018
- 2 min read
Newcastle United are in desperate need for a first win of their Premier League season as they host a high-flying Watford at St. James' Park.
The Magpies sit 19th in the table, above rock-bottom Huddersfield Town on goal difference.
Watford are seventh after their excellent start and thumped Huddersfield 3-0 last Saturday at Vicarage Road.
TEAM NEWS:
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has no new injury concerns ahead of the visit of the Hornets.
Florian Lejeune is a long-term absentee for the Magpies as he is recovering from a knee problem.
Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is set to return for the visitors after a minor knee injury.
Striker Troy Deeney is a doubt for the Hornets with a hamstring injury, with defenders Sebastian Prodl and Daryl Janmaat and midfielder Tom Cleverley all definitely out for Watford.
THE MANAGERS:
Under-pressure manager Benitez has ordered a rally cry for the club's supporters to help them out on Saturday afternoon.
"I remember the fans saying to me: 'We want players who care'. So now we have to support them. Support them during the game and then analyse everything afterwards," Benitez said.
"It has to be a positive (the atmosphere), they need help from me and the stands. After the game we can analyse. But the atmosphere has to be positive.
"Our players are our children, we have to support them. Our fans are clever. They know it's a difficult time. They know it's tough for us. They will support us."
Javi Gracia has offered his support for "great coach" Benitez as his side travel up to Tyneside this weekend.
"They're a good team with a very good coach and sometimes these things happen and you can't explain why," Gracia said.
"I am sure they are looking for their first win and they are working hard to try and get it. We need to be ready for a tough game.
"In all the games they have played I am sure they could have had better results than the ones they got."
"He (Benitez) is a coach with a lot of recognition in both England and Spain," the Watford boss continued.
"Everybody knows he is a great coach and my opinion of him is the same. He has always been able to show how good a manager he is whatever team he has been in charge of."
MATCH STATS:
- Watford have won the last four Premier League meetings between the two sides and the last five games in all competitions.
- If the Magpies fail to win on Saturday, it will be the first time in the club's history that Newcastle haven't won in their opening 11 games.
- Newcastle have failed to score in four of their last five games in the Premier League.
- Watford's 19 points so far this season is the highest they've ever had at this stage of a top-flight campaign.
- Roberto Pereyra's tally of five goals in 10 Premier League matches this season is more than he managed all of last season.
BETTING ODDS:
Newcastle United: 7/4
Draw: 9/4
Watford: 9/5
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