As the English Premier League enters for its final stretches, we have 6 teams fiercely vying for top four spots. Every of the top teams will play their games over the weekend, except the Liverpool FC, who will visit the Watford FC on Monday night. Liverpool has been a beautiful enthralling side in the league, with each player adapting to Manager Jurgen Klopp’s ‘Gegenpress’ style of football. However, as good as they are against the top six, Liverpool has the tendency to drop points against lower sides, which gives the Hornets hope that they can get something out of this match. This match has the potential to make or break Liverpool’s momentum in their bid to secure a top 4 finish.
WATFORD FC vs. LIVERPOOL FC
3-Way: 1: Watford FC: +620; X: +355 Draw; 2: Liverpool FC: -179
Spread +1: Watford FC +108; Liverpool FC -111
Total +2.5: Over -133; Under +127
LIVERPOOL FC
The Liverpool FC has looked as a revitalized team under Jurgen Klopp. They play some of the best attacking football in Europe, with a high intensity pressing and flair players attacking in full throttle being a key aspect of this side. However, inconsistent performances, along with a pretty leaky defense at times, have restrained them from challenging for the title throughout the season. This is why they have been engaged in a fierce competition for places, along with Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal, as Chelsea and Tottenham are already battling it out for the title.
With a total of 66 points, they are stationed at the last automatic Champions league qualification spot, in 3rd position. 37 of those points have been won at home. Their current home record is 4-1-1, for the last six games. One of the most interesting aspects of this team is their ability to grab points against the top six, while they have struggled against the teams that look weaker on paper. They labored to a 1:0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, followed by a 2:1 defeat at home against Crystal Palace, showing the teams weak performances against lower oppositions.
This Liverpool side has not struggled to score goals at all, scoring a total of 70 goals in the league, the highest in the league. 42 of those goals have come at Anfield. They have failed to score in 3 away games so far, and only 1 at home. Their defense has conceded 42 goals, keeping 8 clean sheets in the process. 18 among the conceded goals have been at home.
They have a talented squad with them, who are able to mix flair with hard work to get good results. Their top scorer is Senegalese winger Sadio Mane, with 13 goals, followed by Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino with 11 goals. Midfielder Adam Lallana has the highest assists in the team, with 7. They have one of the most talented attacking midfielders in the league in Philip Coutinho, who has the ability to open up the game in a second.
They have their fair share of injury troubles. Captain Jordan Henderson, is still not fit to play (foot injury) while Sadio Mane, Ragnar Klavan and Danny Ings, all having knee injuries, are long term absentees. A probable positive is that Sturridge has returned to training, and Lallana is also in position to take part in the match.
WATFORD FC
The Watford FC overcame a tough start to the season, where many doubted whether they will be able to stay in the English Premier League come next season, and with the help of a few new additions, are having a decent standing in the league table. They occupy the 10th position, just above Stoke city and below Southampton, having won 40 points. The Hornets will be looking forward to getting a point or three against the Reds, as many smaller teams have managed to do so, throughout this season.
Watford is a team that gets better results at home, than they get on the road. Of their 40 points, they have won 28 at home. They lost 1 and won 1, in the last two matches. First they won against Swansea City at home 1:0, which was followed by an away defeat at Hull City, where the tigers were playing with 10 men, and still won by 2:0. The record over the last six games for the Hornet’s is 3-0-3, while the home record is 4-1-1 (over the last six games).
They have scored a total of 37 goals in the English Premier League, out of which, 25 have been in front of the home fans. They are 15th in terms of highest scorers in the English Premier League. Their defensive record is also not so impressive, conceding 54 goals, and keeping seven clean sheets, 1 more than Liverpool. Of 54 goals, they have conceded 23 at home. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three home matches, winning all three. It would require a great defensive effort to keep the Liverpool attackers from scoring on Monday.
Their captain Troy Deeney has been trying to lead with example this season. He is the club’s top goal scorer this season so far, with 10 goals in the English Premier League. He, along with Jose Holebas, are the the top assisters in the league, with 4 assists each. New signing Mbaye Niang, on loan from AC Milan, has been able to add flair to the the team’s game, along with Argentine Roberto Pereyra. Tom Cleverly adds some much needed calmness from midfield.
There are concerns from the medical team for the Hornets. Roberto Pereyra will not be fit to play this match, as he recovers from a 3 month layoff due to knee injury. Along with the argentine, Watford will also miss the services of midfielder Ben Watson (Groin Strain), striker Mauro Zarate (Cruciate Ligament injury), and midfielder Valon Behrami (Hamstring injury). All of them haven’t been given a fixed date of return yet. Therefore, with their key personnel out, manager Mazzari would hope that other players step up and deliver a good performance.
Watford FC vs. Liverpool FC – Match Prediction
Liverpool is no doubt the better side in this match-up. A bigger club, more valuable squad, a charismatic manager, they have it all. However, Liverpool being Liverpool, and moreover, it being the English Premier league, no one can say for sure that the fancied side will win for sure. They have struggled against smaller teams, and therefore, Watford will try to take their full chances at a not-so-settled defense. However, Liverpool have the ability to outscore their abilities, therefore my choice will be with Liverpool, that they will win this match.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-133)
