Preview: Watford v Manchester United; Kick-off: November 28, 20:00; Venue: Vicarage Road; Referee: Jonathan Moss
Manchester United’s pursuit of Premier League leaders Manchester City will continue on Tuesday night when they face in-form Watford at Vicarage Road.
United scraped past Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday to close the gap on City to five points, but Pep Guardiola’s side stretched their advantage to eight points once again with a 2-1 win at Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon.
There are now three points between second-placed United and third-placed Chelsea after the reigning Premier League champions dropped points at Liverpool, but the Red Devils are having little joy when it comes to closing the gap on their neighbours, who remain unbeaten in the league this season.
No Premier League team has performed better than United on home soil during the 2017-18 campaign, but Jose Mourinho’s side only have the sixth-best away record at this stage of the season. Indeed, they have dropped points in four of their six league matches away from Old Trafford.
Including their Champions League defeat at Basel last week, United have lost three of their last four matches on their travels, and now face back-to-back away fixtures against Watford and Arsenal before the small matter of the Manchester derby at home to City on December 10.
When considering that City will host Southampton and West Ham United in their two before the derby, United will surely have to beat Watford and Arsenal to stay in touch ahead of the clash at Old Trafford next month.
United’s ninth Premier League win of the season arrived at home to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, but the Red Devils needed an own goal from Lewis Dunk to sneak past the former Championship side. It was not the type of performance that would have worried watching City boss Guardiola.
United have been tight defensively this season, however, with just six goals conceded in 13 matches proving the best record in the division. They have only scored eight times on their travels though, and are without a Premier League away win since a 1-0 success over Southampton on September 23.
Watford will be in no mood to hand out favours as Marco Silva’s side look to continue their push up the table. The Hornets lost three straight Premier League games between October 21 and November 5, but have beaten West Ham and Newcastle United in their last two without conceding.
Inspired by the sensational talent of Richarlison, Watford sit eighth in the table on 21 points, and could move as high as sixth with a win against United. They have performed better on their travels this season, however, collecting 13 points away from home compared to just eight from six games at Vicarage Road.
Everton continue to pursue Silva, and it is not too difficult to understand why the Toffees are so keen on a manager that has introduced an exciting brand of football to the Watford supporters.
The Hornets will host United and Tottenham Hotspur in their next two, and victories in both would strengthen suggestions that the club are capable of challenging for a top-seven position this season.
Watford and United have only locked horns on eight previous occasions in the Premier League, and after losing their first six Premier League fixtures with the Red Devils, the London club recorded a 3-1 win at Vicarage Road last season.
It is a game that Mourinho dare not lose as his team look to stay within touching distance of rivals City, but Watford were excellent against Newcastle on Saturday, and will have their eye on securing a big scalp on Tuesday night.
Team news
Watford boss Silva has no fresh injury concerns from the win over Newcastle on Saturday, and could therefore send the same XI onto the field.
Sebastian Prodl is pushing to be involved after appearing as a late substitute against the Magpies, but Andre Gray is expected to keep his position at centre-forward despite the return of captain Troy Deeney from suspension.
Tom Cleverley and Will Hughes will again look to provide the invention from central midfield, while Richarlison – who has five goals and three assists in the league this season – should be given a free role once again.
As for United, Eric Bailly is pushing for a return to the team after sitting out the last three matches through injury. Marcos Rojo is also in line to start as Mourinho considers selecting a three-man central defence.
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic will again start in central midfield, but the United boss could spring a surprise in the final third with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all pushing to be involved behind Romelu Lukaku.
It had been claimed that Lukaku could be banned for a kick out at Brighton’s Gaetan Bong at the weekend, but the striker will face no action from the FA.
Marouane Fellaini’s involvement will depend on whether Mourinho selects two or three centre-backs for the clash in the capital.
Expected starting lineups
Watford: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenia, Hughes, Doucoure, Cleverley, Zeegelaar; Richarlison; Gray
United: De Gea; Bailly, Smalling, Rojo; Valencia, Pogba, Matic, Young; Martial, Lukaku, Rashford
Did you know?
The last Watford goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against United was Tony Coton during a 1-0 victory for the Hornets in September 1986.
Prediction
United were poor in their 3-1 defeat at Vicarage Road last season, and did not exactly set the world alight against Brighton on Saturday afternoon. Watford, on the other hand, were excellent during their three-goal success at Newcastle.
The Hornets have been a touch disappointing on home soil this season, however, and with United desperate for all three points due to City’s run, the Red Devils should just about sneak past Silva’s team on the night.
Score prediction: Watford 1-2 Manchester United
