Watford v Norwich predictions: New signings have helped Claudio Ranieri's squad

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Watford v Norwich City in the Premier League on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Watford
2pts 21-20 general

Team news

Watford
Ismaila Sarr, Imran Louza, William Troost-Ekong and Adam Masina are on international duty. Peter Etebo, Nicolas N'koulou and Kwadwo Baah are injured.

Norwich
Max Aarons has shaken off a knock but Billy Gilmour (ankle) and Mathias Normann (pelvis) remain sidelined and Tim Krul (shoulder) is out.

Match preview

Watford manager Claudio Ranieri is the new favourite in the Premier League sack race after Rafael Benitez's exit from Everton, but the Italian can bolster his position by steering the Hornets to a vital victory over relegation rivals Norwich at Vicarage Road.

Given Watford's trigger-happy reputation - they have employed 13 permanent managers in less than ten years - and their recent struggles, it is understandable why there are expectations of a further managerial change.

However, they snapped a six-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle last Saturday and better times could be on the horizon.

Ranieri could not have had a much tougher start with seven of his opening 12 matches coming against the top seven teams.

His job has been complicated by injuries and recently Africa Cup of Nations call-ups, but the transfer window has afforded him a chance to address some of the club's problems.

Three new signings - left-back Hassane Kamara, central defender Samir and midfielder Edo Kayembe - made their debuts at St James' Park and all of them impressed.

Ranieri was further boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Ben Foster after injury and there were clear signs that Watford were finally starting to address their defensive shortcomings.

While Watford have had issues preventing goals, Norwich are struggling to score them.

The Canaries increased their Premier League goal tally to ten with Saturday's 2-1 success at home to ailing Everton, but they have scored six fewer than basement boys Burnley and 13 less than the Hornets.

Dean Smith has opted for a more attacking line-up in the last two matches by utilising Adam Idah and Teemu Pukki in a front two. The partnership worked well enough against Everton with the lively Idah bagging his first goal of the season, although is was less successful three days earlier when the Canaries lost 2-0 at West Ham.

By toppling the Toffees Norwich hauled themselves to within a point of safety, yet they are 1-10 for the drop and those negative market perceptions could be borne out over the next four months.

Smith's side probably need to find another six wins to have a genuine chance of staying up and it is hard to see that happening unless greater firepower is added by the end of the month.

Watford, meanwhile, look far better equipped to score the goals needed to survive.

Emmanuel Dennis has led the way with eight goals and five assists, five-goal striker Joshua King is a decent number nine, Joao Pedro is gaining confidence after scoring in each of the last two games and Ismaila Sarr should eventually come into the mix upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Poor defending has often ruined a lot of Watford's good offensive work, but they were much more secure at Newcastle and, if building on that promising performance, they can seal a vital three points.

Key stat

Watford have won their last five matches against Norwich.

Inside info

Watford

Penalty taker Joshua King
Free-kick wizard Juraj Kucka
Set-piece aerial threat Samir
Card magnet Emmanuel Dennis

Norwich

Penalty taker Teemu Pukki
Free-kick wizardMilot Rashica
Set-piece aerial threatGrant Hanley
Card magnetMax Aarons

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