Unfamiliar territory for Watford after a troublesome start to the Premier League this season. After collecting their first three points, could this be the first of many wins or are they just one-hit wonders?
Before the unwanted international break disrupted club football, the boys from Vicarage Road were successful on the road after obtaining their first win from a Premier League outing. It was a huge relief for Quique Flores and his Watford side as they moved up in the standings following their triumph.
How it went down in brief town… A relegation battle kicked off Matchday 12 of the English Premier League before the international interruption. It was the perfect start as we witnessed the only club without a victory in the league finally break their duck and take their first trio of points from a single fixture.
Watford’s dismal start in the Premier League
Games Played – 12
Games Won – 1
Games Drawn – 5
Games Lost – 6
Goals Scored – 8
Goals Conceded – 23
Goal Difference – (-15)
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It took Flores’ side 202 days to get this feat. The last Hornets’ win came against an already relegated Huddersfield. That was back in April, five games away from the season 2018-19 finale. In these closing stages of the EPL campaign, Watford under ex-manager Javi Gracia collected only four points from the possible 18 played for over six games.
A draw against Southampton was the last game they went without losing. This accumulated with their start to this Premier League season and Watford have been unable to win in their last 15 league matches before Matchday 12.
This was an important meeting for the Hornets to take all the points, especially while on the road. When two teams sitting deep within the worrying depths of the relegation zone meets, the result is always important even if it’s as early as game 12 of the season, or late and near to the deaths.
The real questions and worries that follows their first win are how long will it last? Was this the catalyst of their 2019-20 term? Can they get out of the relegation zone? How many points can they collect from their next five meetings? All reasonable questions considering the poor form nest they’ve been hovering in.
They are the worst conceding team behind Norwich and Southampton, who sits in last place and second last, respectively. Their most deniable stat and what holds all the evidence to how they haven’t been themselves this season is they’ve been the worst team in front of goal, scoring only eight times in 12 games.
Watford’s next five fixtures
Watford vs. Burnley
Southampton vs. Watford
Leicester City vs. Watford
Watford vs. Crystal Palace
Liverpool vs. Watford
Where they can collect points
Quique Flores will have his work cut out for him in the next five Premier League outings. From these games, one could only see them getting six to nine points for the most. So worryingly, no break for the Hornets with their return to action this weekend against Burnley.
Though, due to Burnley’s away form, they should be taking their second set of points. They are yet to win a fixture away from home but are returning to action off the back of a 3-0 win over West Ham. Crystal Palace have been doing well silently. It will be hard to keep Zaha and co from scoring, giving the impression the draw is the best they can pull off against Roy’s men.
The one they have to win and have no other option other than to win is when they come up against Southampton in a relegation battle. Southampton hasn’t shown any signs of improvement, whereas Watford has. Three points all day for Watford here.
No points up for grabs
Watford plays two of the teams in the top four over the next five matches. Never count them out to shock the nation or steal a point or more from these two in-form clubs. However, they come against leaders Liverpool and the holders of second place, Leicester City. I don’t see them collecting any points from the pair.
The Reds and the Foxes are by far two of the better attacking teams this season. Against Klopp’s side alone, the hornets have conceded 13 goals in the last three meetings between the couple. They’ve only managed to collect one point from this specific outing. No chance comes to mind fast.
Realistically, only six points can be collected by them. With a bit of extra help from VAR and some luck, they can get the extra three points.