The Top Flight
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Premier League: Can Watford’s Fresh Faces Keep Them From Relegation

By Keith Lisenbee

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Ismaila Sarr of Watford celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on December 28, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Ismaila Sarr of Watford celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on December 28, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Nigel Pearson, who has told a story of beating off wolves on a mountain in Transylvania while hiking, has brought in more youth into a squad whose average age is 27.6 years (6th oldest in the Premier League).

He has let his young players have their opportunity and though Pedro and Pussetto may not bring massive initial impact to Watford, they do bring pace, skill, and much-needed depth. It is the improved depth that will be the difference for the Hornets in staying away from football purgatory in the Championship.

Will this run keep going?

Per fbref.com, the Hornets are 14th in expected goal differential, 16th in xG, and 16th in expected goals against (xGA) in the Premier League.

They are clearly not the same club that started the season and the analytics suggest they are better than their current place. Their next five Premier League matches are against Tottenham (home), Aston Villa (away), Everton (home), Brighton (away), and Manchester United (away).

They also have a third-round FA Cup replay against Tranmere Rovers sandwiched in. As a result, they are looking at three matches in a five-day stretch starting with Spurs this weekend. With that said, here are my predictions for the Hornets’ next five Premier League matches.

Predictions of the Hornets next 5 EPL matches

Watford vs. Tottenham: Draw, 1-1
Watford at Aston Villa: Win, 2-1
Watford vs. Everton: Draw, 2-2
Watford at Brighton: Loss, 1-3
Watford at Manchester United: Loss, 1-2

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By the way, the Hornets get Liverpool after their match at United, so you might as well mark that as a loss, too. Watford has put money on the table for young players that fit their current manager’s playing style and who provide much-needed depth for the relegation fight.

Just like the joke with the runners and the bear, Nigel Pearson’s squad only needs to outrun three clubs to stay up, not the bear (or wolf).

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