Watford vs Arsenal
Premier League 2019/20 season
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Sunday, 15th September, 2019
Kick-off time: 4.30pm BST
Watford went back to the future during the international break as a familiar face takes change for Sunday's clash against Arsenal.
Despite reaching the FA Cup final last season, Javi Gracia's spell as Watford coach came to an abrupt halt last week as the Spaniard was sacked after a winless start to the Premier League season.
Quique Sanchez Flores has now returned to Vicarage Road to guide the Hornets, who host an Arsenal side who look as good going forward as they do weak in defence.
Unai Emery has yet to find balance in his team - the north London derby draw against Tottenham a case in point - and they will have to avoid the dreaded 'new manager bounce' to take three points on the road this weekend.
Team news and predicted lineups
There is good news for Arsenal with Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney in first-team training, but neither will be ready for this weekend.
Joe Willock will be available following a calf problem, though Granit Xhaka is a doubt after playing through the pain of an Achilles issue in recent weeks.
Lucas Torreira is a doubt, while Konstantinos Mavropanos is still out.
As for Watford, Troy Deeney remains out of action with a knee injury, though Etienne Capoue could return from illness - Danny Welbeck is likely to be a threat off the bench against his former club.
Watford XI: Foster; Dawson, Kabasele, Cathcart; Janmaat, Doucoure, Cleverley, Femenia; Hughes, Pereyra; Gray
Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles; Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Willock, Ceballos, Guendouzi; Pepe, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Prediction: Watford 2-2 Arsenal
With both defences looking all at sea so far this season, what is likely at Vicarage Road on Sunday is goals.
Despite a mixture of anger and relief from the fans at Gracia's departure, the Watford squad is likely to be buoyed by a change of personnel and should start strongly.
Arsenal obviously have goals in them, but Emery will want to see a more professional defensive display than the one they turned in before the international break against Spurs.
Tickets
Click here for more information about Watford tickets.
Click here for more information about Arsenal tickets.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Watford to win: 11/4
- Draw: 11/4
- Arsenal to win: Evens
First goal scorer
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7/2
- Alexandre Lacazette: 4/1
- Nicolas Pepe: 5/1
- Danny Welbeck: 8/1
TV channel and live stream information
The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HD, and is available via NOW TV with a 10-month season ticket on offer for £199.
Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can follow all the action and analysis on Standard Sport's LIVE blog with our team at Vicarage Road.
Head to head (h2h) results and history
Arsenal have won 17 times against Watford, losing 12 games and drawing just once.
The Gunners have won the last three League meetings without conceding a single goal.
