Watford vs Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace make the short journey to North London this weekend in a clash between two sides ready to take on the Premier League.
Premier League Watford vs Crystal Palace usually has the feel of a lower mid-table tussle, as that’s exactly what it has been in recent times. The Hornets have started impressively in the last two seasons before dropping like a stone, while the Eagles do it the other way round. Last season they had no points or goals from seven games, and looked doomed, before Hodgson arrived to first steady, and then raise the sinking ship.
Palace now look like a well-drilled team with attacking verve, and the Hornets have again made a good start, The question is this: can they keep it going this time?
Talking Points
Watford had the perfect away win at Burnley last week, conceding possession for much of the match but killing the game with two superb quick-fire goals early in the second half. And that followed an opening-day win over Brighton, giving Javi Gracia’s men a 100 per cent start.
Talisman Troy Deeney was on target at Turf Moor and he has, for many years, been the heartbeat of this Watford side with his tireless running, brave tackling and a keen eye for goal. But their key man is Abdoulaye Doucoure who not only top-scored with seven goals last season, he was the Premier League’s best possession winner in the middle third of the pitch. No wonder he was voted the Hornets’ player of the year.
Gracia’s task is to gel his midfield around Doucoure, and he has plenty of options. Will Hughes scored a beauty against Burnley and he is growing in stature by the game, while Tom Cleverley and Roberto Pereyra provide the know-how. And as the last line of defence, he has brought in Ben Foster to replace Heurelho Gomes. Watford had the third-worst defensive record in the league last season and their backline will be seriously tested in weeks to come, with games against Manchester United and Spurs to follow.
Palace will certainly test the Hornets. They took care of Fulham with some ease on opening day before being a little unlucky to lose at home to title hopefuls Liverpool. We tipped a two-goal win for Pool at SBOBET, but it took a last-gasp break for the Reds to find that daylight.
Wilfried Zaha is often the man at the centre of Watford vs Crystal Palace news.
Watford fans have no time for the Eagles’ star player, still holding a massive grudge after he appeared to go down easily for the winning penalty in the 2015 Championship Play-Off final. And he was booked for diving in the 0-0 stalemate at Vicarage Road last season.
But Gracia and his team know he’s the man to stop. If they can cut off his supply to Christian Benteke, the Hornets will be halfway there. The Belgian striker is such a confidence player: devastating on his day but when his frustration rises, he couldn’t hit a barn door!
Luka Milivojevic was the Eagles’ top scorer last year with ten goals, seven of them penalties as Palace won the most spot-kicks in the league (ten). Zaha won’t spend the whole game on his feet, and what will be the price of him going down again in the danger area? It’s a dead cert I’d say, and if Watford can somehow avoid bringing him down, they could easily be undone by the pace and trickery of Andros Townsend on the other flank.
With three points from their opening two games, Roy Hodgson won’t mind losing at home to Liverpool too much. He’s a wily old fox, and Gracia has his work cut out to outwit him. But home advantage gives him a slight edge.
History
Neither team has a particularly glittering history in the top flight. There have been no league titles or FA Cups in the trophy cabinets but this is about the here and now; we see two clubs well-equipped to survive in the Premier League.
Last season, they passed each other as Palace climbed to 11th and Watford finished 14th and both want to do better this year. History is in the Eagles’ favour with 18 wins to 12 in the head-to-heads, and there have been ten draws.
As well as drawing 0-0 at Vicarage Road, Hodgson’s men won the home game 2-1 and so the hosts will be after revenge.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Watford vs Crystal Palace | First Half 1X2 Draw @ 2.00 |
| August 26, 20:30 (GMT+8) |
The Watford vs Crystal Palace odds point to a tight game; with the hosts at 2.49, the draw 3.05 and an away win at 2.94.
I think it will be nip and tuck all the way, with the defences holding firm in the face of attacking threats. But both teams have a sting and I can see the game finishing all square. 2 to 3 goals is available at odds of 1.89 and a 1-1 score line with ten minutes left could set up a grandstand finish.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
