Expect fun when Fulham host Watford in the Premier League

Premier League
Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 12.30pm Saturday

Fulham have brought the fun factor with them to the Premier League and Slavisa Jokanovic's outfit can serve up more entertainment when his former club Watford travel to Craven Cottage.

The promoted Cottagers have won only once in a slightly disappointing start given their hefty summer outlay, although Fulham have not been afraid to attack even the biggest of Premier League outfits, as proven by offensive team selections in away defeats at Tottenham and Manchester City.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, Luciano Vietto and Andre Schurrle lined up in a front three at the Etihad last week in a bold move by Jokanovic which also included Ryan Sessegnon being used as a left-back, and they are likely to cause problems in the final third this season.

Jean Michael Seri wants to make things happen from midfield and there is a willingness to allow the full-backs to push on which makes for an approach that is easy on the eye.

However, Jokanovic's side have conceded at least twice in every league match this season. Their defeats at Spurs and City are forgivable, but shipping twice against Crystal Palace, Burnley and Brighton is less acceptable.

The defence was assembled late in the summer transfer window when the club had to buy new full-backs to replace departed duo Ryan Fredericks and Matt Targett. Jokanovic is yet to use the same back four in consecutive matches as he juggles to find the right solution.

That will be music to the ears of a direct Watford team who are happy to get quick balls up to front two Andre Gray and Troy Deeney, who have been instrumental in the Hornets' superb start.

Watford's perfect record ended with a 2-1 defeat by Manchester United last week but the fourth-placed outfit kept up their record of scoring in all five of their matches this season.

It's not just the forward pairing who can cause problems. Roberto Pereyra has scored three goals and, unlike Jokanovic, Javi Gracia has established a settled starting 11.

Gracia has picked the same team for all five Premier League matches and they have benefited from four of them being at home. Their away trip was to bottom club Burnley, who had just been taken to extra-time in the Europa League and looked leggy.

So it would be dangerous to overrate Watford just yet. The Hornets have conceded in their last four Premier League matches and backing three or more goals looks a solid play.

Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals
1pt 13-16 188Bet

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Fulham
Tom Cairney and Neeskens Kebano are injured and Tim Ream won't be risked as he has only just returned to training.

Watford
Gerard Deulofeu and Tom Cleverley remain sidelined.

Key stat
Watford have won one away Premier League match in 2018.

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport