Watford v Newcastle predictions: Magpies and Hornets carry plenty of sting

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

When to bet

Kick-off 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
2pts 11-10 Betfair & Betfred

Team news

Watford
Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is a fitness doubt but Kiko Femenia and Joao Pedro have returned to full training and are back in contention. Peter Etebo may feature.

Newcastle
Joe Willock and Jamaal Lascelles will miss the next two matches. Star striker Callum Wilson has also been ruled out until after the October international break. Martin Dubravka remains sidelined.

Match preview

Newcastle are still waiting for their first Premier League win of the campaign but have had no problem expressing themselves in the final third and should play their part in an entertaining encounter at Watford.

The Magpies’ opening five games have yielded just two points but they showed plenty of fight in last Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to Leeds and a repeat performance would see them trouble Watford.

The issue for Newcastle, however, is they are flawed defensively and the six goals they have scored have been outweighed by the 13 which they have conceded.

Steve Bruce’s side played with great intensity against Leeds, a match which featured 39 shots, 16 on target, and they possess a potent weapon in the impressive Allan Saint Maximin.

Three of their opening five games have featured at least three goals and Watford, who have already struck three times in wins over Aston Villa and Norwich, should ensure the high-scoring trend continues.

Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis provide Watford with plenty of skill and pace of their own and they should get plenty of joy from a Newcastle defence missing leader Jamaal Lascelles.

Key stat

Both Watford and Newcastle have conceded in all five of their Premier League matches this season.

Inside info

Watford

Penalty taker Ismaila Sarr
Free-kick wizard Tom Cleverley
Aerial set-piece threat William Troost-Ekong
Card magnet Juraj Kucka

Newcastle

Penalty taker Matt Ritchie
Free-kick wizard Matt Ritchie
Aerial set piece threat Ciaran Clark
Card magnet Isaac Hayden

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