Watford vs Arsenal – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | EPL 2021-22

Mikel Arteta Arsenal Manager

Watford will welcome Arsenal to Vicarage Road this Sunday in the 28th round of the 2021/22 Premier League season.

Venue: Vicarage Road (Watford) 

Key Statistics

Watford have kept three clean sheets across their last six games (W1, D2, L3).

The hosts have conceded nine goals in their last three home games.

They own the division’s worst home record (seven points) after losing seven straight matches at Vicarage Road and conceding first in a joint-league high ten PL home games (D1, L9).

Roy Hodgson has won just three of his last 20 personal H2H clashes with Arsenal (D7, L10).

Arsenal have won their last three away games.

They have gone 195-minutes without conceding a goal away from home. 

Head to head

Both teams have met 15 times in the past, with Arsenal winning 12 of those 15 times (D1, L2).

Latest performances in all competitions

Watford: D-L-W-L-L

Arsenal: W-W-W-D-L

Watford

Watford will look to pick up some valuable points on Sunday when they welcome Arsenal to Vicarage Road.

The Hornets boosted their chances of survival last time out as they picked up a valuable point in a goalless draw with Manchester United.

However, the result was not enough to pull them out of the relegation zone as they come into this tie sitting in 19th place, three points behind Everton, in 17th.

With three clean sheets from their last six games (W1, D2, L3), which is the same amount as they had recorded across 38 Premier League (PL) outings prior, the hosts will feel that they are improving under the guidance of Roy Hodgson.

However, to keep their chances of survival alive, they must improve on their terrible home form. Hodgson’s side have held each of their recent clean sheets in away games. They have conceded nine goals across their last three home clashes, while they are also the only PL side yet to keep one at home. 

They also own the league’s worst home record (seven points) after losing seven straight matches at Vicarage Road and conceding first in a joint-league high ten PL home games (D1, L9). 

They have defeated the Gunners just once in seven all-time PL home H2Hs (D1, L5) a will have to be in their best shape to take anything from this game.

Possible Watford starting line-up

Ben Foster; Jeremy Ngakia, Craig Cathcart, Samir, Hassane Kamara; Juraj Kucka, Imran Louza, Moussa Sissoko; Josh King, Emmanuel Dennis, Ken Sema.

Injured: Nicolas N’Koulou

Doubtful: Kiko, Ismaïla Sarr, Etebo

Suspended: None 

Arsenal 

Arsenal will look to extend their winning run to four games when they travel to Vicarage Road on Sunday.

After going on a run of five games without a win in January, the Gunners bounced back in February, winning all their PL games by a margin of 5-2.

Their last outing was against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and they came back from behind to win the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette.

The win keeps their quest for Champions League next season alive. They come into this tie sitting in sixth place, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, having played two games less.

Given their dominant record in this fixture, they will fancy their chances k getting a straightforward win in this game.

Meanwhile, only summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu is absent from this game, as the Japanese international is currently nursing a calf injury.

Possible Arsenal starting line-up

Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding; Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard; Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette.

Injured: Takehiro Tomiyasu

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Watford 0-2 Arsenal