Burnley v Watford predictions: Hodgson's Hornets should hold their own

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Burnley v Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 6pm Saturday

Best bets

Under 2.5 goals
2pts 3-4 BoyleSports

Draw
1pt 23-10Coral

Team news

Burnley
Josh Brownhill is suspended but Wout Weghorst should make his debut and Maxwel Cornet has returned from international duty.

Watford
Emmanuel Dennis is suspended and Ismaila Sarr is at the Africa Cup of Nations but William Troost-Ekong, Adam Masina and Imran Louza have returned from international duty.

Match preview

There is only one Premier League contest this week due to the FA Cup fourth round but the stakes could scarcely be higher when relegation rivals Burnley and Watford square off at Turf Moor.

Both are odds-on to be playing in the Championship next season and there is every chance of them sharing an unsatisfactory stalemate on Saturday.

Victory would haul Burnley off the foot of the table while three points for Watford would see them move out of the the relegation zone. But there is little chance of either manager throwing caution to the wind, because losing to one of their direct survival rivals would be hugely damaging.

Sean Dyche demands that his Burnley side are ultra-competitive and tough to beat, and, if his team are to survive, they will get there by grinding out results.

He needed a new centre-forward after losing Chris Wood to Newcastle and will be hoping for a positive debut from towering Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, who was snapped up from Wolfsburg on deadline day. Weghorst could be joined in attack by top scorer Maxwel Cornet, who has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations.

That partnership has plenty of potential with Weghorst noted for his aerial prowess and Cornet providing power and pace, although it would be unfair to expect them to hit it off straight away.

Watford will be wary of the threat and should be in a better position to deal with it, having had the best part of two weeks working under their latest manager Roy Hodgson.

The Hornets latest managerial appointment looks a sensible one because they have acquired just about the best person to organise their suspect defence.

Hodgson's ability to organise a backline was key to keeping Palace clear of relegation danger during a spell of just under four seasons at Selhurst Park. And it shouldn't take him long to tighten up the only top-flight defence still awaiting a first clean sheet of the season.

Watford bolstered their defence in January – bringing in left-back Hassane Kamara and centre-back Samir – and there were signs of improvement in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle.

Those marginal gains were lost when Watford collapsed to a 3-0 defeat at home to Norwich, although it was extremely tight until Sam Sargent's 51st-minute goal set the Canaries on their way.

Hodgson believes Watford will survive and his assessment is probably based on their array of attacking talent.

However, his best forwards, Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis, are unavailable, making it even more imperative that he focuses on keeping things tight.

Repetitive defensive drills are sure to have been at the heart of his work and the fruits of those labours could be evident in Lancashire where a dour, low-scoring draw looks the most likely outcome.

Key stat

Burnley have drawn five of their last eight league fixtures.

Inside info

Burnley

Penalty taker Wout Weghorst
Free-kick wizard Dwight McNeil
Set-piece aerial threat Wout Weghorst
Card magnet James Tarkowski

Watford

Penalty taker Joshua King
Free-kick wizardTom Cleverley
Set-piece aerial threatSamir
Card magnetCraig Cathcart

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