Watford v Liverpool: Premier League preview, prediction, free tip & TV channel

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Liverpool win & both teams to score
1pt 2-1 Betfred, Betway, BoyleSports
Back this tip with Coral here

Team news

Watford
Kiko Femenia (muscle strain) is pushing for a place in the squad but Daryl Janmaat (knee) is not quite ready to return.

Liverpool
James Milner (muscle strain), Jordan Henderson (hamstring), Xherdan Shaqiri (calf) and Nathaniel Clyne (knee) have been ruled out.

Match preview

Liverpool can make Premier League history with a record-breaking 19th successive victory over relegation-threatened Watford.

The Reds are not quite playing with the same assurance as they were earlier in the season but they keep finding a way to win and can set a new league best at Vicarage Road.

Jurgen Klopp admits that his players have had the record on their minds and there was plenty of desire on show at Anfield on Monday when the Reds came from behind to defeat West Ham 3-2.

There was also evidence of defensive vulnerability and lapses of concentration that were out of character with the standards they have set for the majority of the campaign.

If one or two players were not quite at their best it is perfectly understandable.

Liverpool have a cast-iron grip on the title, with 22 points separating them from second-placed Manchester City, and the players must realise it is merely a matter of time before they lift the Premier League trophy.

The Reds are also weaker in midfield without injured pair Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

They lacked bite against the Hammers and only improved after Klopp introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in place of Naby Keita in the 54th minute.

Watford will have taken note of Liverpool's midweek performance and may feel they have a chance of claiming a shock victory.

The Hornets will not be too bothered about being party poopers. Their sole aim is to add another point or three to enhance their survival chances.

They benefited from a significant bounce after appointing Nigel Pearson in December but have regressed in recent weeks, taking just two points from their last five matches.

However, Watford are only one point inside the drop zone and could be back to full strength against Liverpool with key winger Ismaila Sarr fully recovered from a hamstring injury and poised to make his first start in six weeks.

Sarr caused Liverpool plenty of problems when Watford lost 2-0 at Anfield in Pearson's first match at the helm.

The Hornets were wasteful on Merseyside but they have shown more of a clinical edge in Hertfordshire, scoring in five of their last six home fixtures.

It would not be a major surprise if they followed in West Ham's footsteps by finding the back of Alisson's net.

Watford's main problem will be keeping Liverpool at bay. They missed opportunities to significantly strengthen their defence in the last two transfer windows and it is hard to see them coping with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah.

The Reds are likely to rewrite the record books but it could be entertaining fare and there is value in backing an away victory and both teams to score.