Watford v Arsenal: Premier League betting preview, tip & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event, 8pm Monday

Arsenal have not gone 16 successive away league matches without a clean sheet since Don Howe was manager in 1984-85 but they could equal that unwanted run against Watford.

Unai Emery's men are the only Premier League outfit to have conceded in every game on the road this term and Vicarage Road is not an ideal next destination.

The Hornets are buzzing after booking their place in the FA Cup final with a scintillating 3-2 defeat of Wolves and, with Javi Gracia's men eyeing silverware as well as a top-seven berth, they can feed off an electrifying atmosphere in Hertfordshire.

Arsenal should be in fine spirits after responding to their Everton defeat by taking a 2-0 advantage in their Europa League quarter-final tie with Napoli.

But the clean sheet secured in that match was deceiving and any backline brawn the Gunners have shown at the Emirates has tended to evaporate on the road this campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti's men mustered nine shots, continuously finding space behind Arsenal's high back line, and Piotr Zielinski blew a golden chance to net an away goal which would have changed the complexion of the tie.

Emery's defensive headache is not aided by a key absence at the back.

Sokratis returned to the first-team fold in the Europa League but will not be available to marshal their rearguard at Vicarage Road after picking up a tenth booking of the season in the loss at Goodison Park.

Arsenal seem overdue to spring a surprise on the road - Bournemouth are the highest-ranked side they have beaten away from north London - but even at odds-against quotes they should be swerved.

Watford, meanwhile, have lost four of their five home assignments against top-six opposition and the best punting strategy could be backing goals between these two top-heavy units.

The home side's explosive 3-2 semi-final win over Wolves was one to savour but should have come as no surprise to shrewder Premier League observers.

Wagers on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals have clicked in each of their last six matches in all competitions and the Vicarage Road faithful have seen just one goalless stalemate in the league since April 2018.

Gerard Deulofeu made his mark in the pulsating contest at Wembley and spearheads an attack comprising Troy Deeney, Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes, who can play their part in a high-scoring affair.

Recommendation
Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
3pts 4-5 BoyleSports, Sky Bet

Team news
Watford
Jose Holebas (hamstring), Domingos Quina (shoulder) and Tom Cleverley (calf) will all miss out but Ben Foster is set to return between the sticks.

Arsenal
Sokratis is suspended after picking up a tenth yellow card of the season but Granit Xhaka (groin) may make a return.

Key stat
Each of Watford's last eight matches in all competitions have featured over 2.5 goals.

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