Verdict: Draw
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After losing three consecutive games prior to the international break, Watford boss Marco Silva will be desperate to find the same form that saw Watford flirting with the top four last month. On Sunday afternoon, Vicarage Road will be playing host to a West Ham side who will begin life under former Manchester United boss David Moyes.
Watford
Despite suffering a 6-0 hammering at the hands of runaway league leaders Manchester City in the middle of September. Watford were a side flirting with the top four after a stellar start to their campaign. In their first eight games of the season, minus their blip against the Sky Blues, The Hornets had not lost another game during Marco Silva s honeymoon period. A 2-1 win over Arsenal and a 3-3 draw against Liverpool highlighted Watford s strong start to the year.
However, the West London club have endured three losses on the bounce and have quickly fallen down to ninth in the table. Although Silva s side were 2-1 up away at Stamford Bridge until the 70th minute, they eventually left South London on the wrong end of a 4-2 defeat. Their fall from grace was epitomised after suffering a 1-0 loss to a struggling Stoke side before throwing away a two-goal lead against Everton in the final seconds to once again come away empty handed.
For Watford, they have managed to find the back of the net in six of their last eight Premier League outings. The Hornet s starman this year has been Brazilian attacker Richarlison, Watford s summer signing has scored four already this season with a further two assists to his name. Watford s biggest problem this season has been keeping the ball out of their own net. In their last seven Premier League appearances, Watford have shipped 18 goals and no team in the league have dropped more points from a winning position.
Team News
After accepting a three-match ban for violent conduct, Watford captain Troy Deeney will be serving the first part of his suspension. The Hornet s boss will also be left sweating the fitness of a number of key players. Heurelho Gomes, Roberto Pereyra, Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl will all face late fitness tests.
West Ham
Upon signing a contract until the end of the season, West Ham fans might not have been best pleased with David Moyes announcement. But, The Hammers are relying on the former Manchester United boss to guide them to Premier League safety.
With only a single win in their last seven Premier League appearances. A 4-1 home defeat against Liverpool before the international break was the final nail in Slaven Bilic s coffin. Although West Ham have managed to find the back of the net in all but one of their last eight games in all competitions, it has been defensively where The Hammers have been at their worst. Despite signing the likes of Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta to try and strengthen their leaky back line, West Ham have conceded 23 goals in their 11 top-flight appearances, the worst record in the league this year.
In what will be David Moyes 500th match at the helm of a Premier League club, he will know the importance of picking up three valuable points before a difficult Christmas period. After the short journey to Vicarage Road on Sunday, West Ham will face-off with Leicester and Everton, before consecutive games against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Along with trying to find some defensive stability, Moyes will be desperate to improve his new side s results on the road. In their last 13 Premier League away matches, West Ham have only managed to pick up a single win.
Team News
For Moyes inaugural game in charge of The Hammers, the Scottish boss looks unlikely to be able to call upon forward Javier Hernandez. While away on international duty with Mexico, the former United man picked up a hamstring injury and looks likely to miss Sunday s match.
West Ham remain hopeful that Michail Antonio and defender Jose Fonte could play some part in the game, both are expected to undergo late fitness tests. Definitely missing from West Ham s defense this weekend are James Collins and 24-year-old Sam Byram who has not recovered from his thigh strain.
Key Factors to Consider
Watford have lost only one of their last six Premier League games against West Ham, winning three and drawing two
The Hornets have lost three consecutive Premier League games, this after losing just one of their first eight under Marco Silva
Only in their last relegation campaign of 2010-11 (7) have West Ham had fewer points after 11 Premier League games than their nine points so far in this season
This will be David Moyes’ 500th match as a Premier League manager (G499 W196 D135 L168). Only three other managers have reached this milestone (Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp)
Brazilian forward Richarlison has scored four of his seven shots on target this year
Conclusion
With Watford entering Sunday s game without picking up a single point in their last three attempts, coupled with the fact that Silva s men have shipped nearly three goals a game in their last seven appearances, West Ham s new boss should feel confident about coming away from Vicarage Road with something.
For The Hammers though, like their hosts on Sunday, they too have their own defensive issues to worry about. The 23 goals they have already conceded this season is the worst record in the top flight this year and the East London club only have a single away win to their name since the end of last season. Given both sides reputation for defensive errors, it has the makings of a game that could produce chances at either end. Backing both teams to leave West London with a point at 5/2 seems like the most likely outcome here.
Verdict: Draw
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