Watford v Liverpool predictions: Reds can ruin Ranieri's debut

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

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Liverpool and both teams to score
1pt 19-10 BoyleSports

Team news

Watford
Free agent signing Nicolas Nkoulou will not be ready for another three weeks and Francisco Sierralta, Christian Kabasele and Peter Etebo are sidelined but Joshua King has shaken off a minor injury and could start.

Liverpool
Alisson and Fabinho miss out after their late returns from international duty and Thiago Alcantara is injured but Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are available.

Match preview

Watford have dismissed managers Nigel Pearson, Vladimir Ivic and Xisco Munoz since their stunning 3-0 victory over Liverpool in February 2020 and they are unlikely to get off to a successful start under Claudio Ranieri when they face the title-chasing Reds on Saturday.

The hire-and fire-approach of Watford chairman Gino Pozzo has been reasonably successful with the Hornets sampling a sixth season in seven in the Premier League.

And their decision to swap Munoz for Ranieri may yet prove to be a masterstroke if the veteran Italian can provide the extra tactical awareness and enhanced defensive structure that Watford have lacked.

However, it would be unwise to expect Ranieri to work instant wonders with a totally new group of players.

All promoted teams face a tough challenge and Watford's survival hopes took a nosedive when news of Newcastle's takeover was announced during the recent international break.

Newcastle would have been among the teams Watford would have hoped to finish above and the Hornets' relegation odds have shortened from evens to 8-11.

While Watford ponder how to stay above the drop zone, Liverpool have designs on returning to the top of the tree.

Their surprise loss to Watford 18 months ago was a rare blip in a marvellous 2019-20 campaign and there are signs that they are getting closer to those standards.

Jurgen Klopp's side relinquished top spot to Chelsea during the last round of fixtures but there were positives to take from the 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City, which featured a much-improved second half performance.

The international break is always a nervous time for managers but Liverpool appear to have come out of it in a reasonably healthy state with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota shaking off injuries and only Thiago Alcantara remaining in the treatment room.

There are doubts over Brazilians Alisson and Fabinho due to a round of South American World Cup qualifiers that took place on Thursday, but Klopp will have a strong squad to select from and should come up with a winning formula.

Liverpool are short odds to take the points but their backers can boost returns by going for an away victory and both teams to score.

Watford's star attacker Ismaila Sarr was the Reds' nemesis on their last visit to Hertfordshire, scoring two goals and assisting the other, and he may produce a moment of magic to help the Hornets get on the scoresheet.

Key stat

Liverpool have won seven of their last eight away games

Inside info

Watford

Penalty taker Ismaila Sarr
Free-kick wizard Ozan Tufan
Set-piece aerial threat Craig Cathcart
Card magnet Emmanuel Dennis

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah
Free-kick wizardTrent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threatVirgil Van Dijk
Card magnetJames Milner

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