We need to be ‘on it’…again.

Just ask Chelsea and a certain team from Trafford what problems Watford can cause you under their still-new boss, Claudio Ranieri.

In their last outing, they went toe-to-toe with The Pensioners; giving them a really hard time but yet, somehow, came away with no points from that particular home fixture.

It seems strange, having listened to / read some match reports, to see them still-sitting just 1 place outside of the relegation zone with just 2 wins from their 7 games under the 70-year-old Italian manager…but I have a strong feeling that their league position and recent results don’t quite paint a true picture of the threat they can carry on the pitch.

As I’ve suggested in my title, we need to be ‘sharp’ this evening (5:30pm KO GMT).

v Watford

Vicarage Road

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:

______________________________________________

 

Sterling______________Jesus______________Mahrez

 

___________Foden____________Gundogan_________

 

_____________________Rodri____________________

Zinchenko_______________________________Walker

 

____________Stones_____________Dias____________

 

 

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Steffen, Cancelo, Ake, Laporte, Fernandinho, Palmer, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish.

Prior to our last game, our manager had a small whinge about the limited number of players available to him and I assumed – possibly quite rightly – that it was a simple case of-having players out with ‘clean ‘n’ obvious’ injury or illness. Indeed, as team sheet came out, we saw quite a number of changes from the previous match.

However, Pep’s comments in his pre-match interview ahead of our clash with The Hornets suggests that his previous frustration may have been to do with the fact that he was told by medical staff that certain players had told them that they weren’t fit to play a part at Villa Park…but that Pep may not have fully believed those players’ protestations.

Chuck into the mix the fact that some of our players have been playing more than their fair share of minutes and are in need of a rest before they ‘burn out’ or pick up a muscle strain; and it all makes for more doubt when trying to predict a ‘starting 11’.

Ederson is the easy one to pick – he has the gloves for this one.

I get the feeling that our manager will want to protect & reward Joao with a rest for this match and with Oleksandr having a fine game in midweek; the Ukrainian has a good chance of starting once again. Kyle was out last Wednesday but is now available again…so-unless he’s one of ‘the softies’ that Guardiola was referring too (unlikely I would have thought), then he should get his place back on the right of the defence. Ruben should ‘go again’ but then it’s pretty much a 50/50 ‘toss up’ who gets to partner the Portuguese in the middle or our back line. Both players, for differing reasons, were missing last Wednesday and, so, have an equal chance of starting this evening, I would suggest. I’m going for John to ‘get the nod’.

Similar to Ederson, I think Rodders is pretty much a certainty; especially for this type of fixture.

Ahead of all of those, we’ll see our usual, fluid-5 formation and today I’m going for those to be Raheem, a returning Phil, Gabriel, rested / returning Ilkay & Riyad.

Zack is the reserve stopper; Joao, Nathen & Aymeric the back-up defenders on the side. Fernandinho, Cole, Bernardo, Kevin & Jack make up one HELL of a talented mix of midfielders / wingers / attackers in reserve.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Ferran Torres – Out with a foot injury until around Christmas time…but now also with the addition of some strong ‘smoke signals’ around which suggest that not only do Barcelona want him in January; but also, Ferran himself has, apparently, asked to leave AND that there’s an agreement already in place with regards to his contract with the Spanish club! I’m a little shocked and slightly disappointed IF that’s true, I have to say…but I will add that we have some amazing, right-sided attacking talent ‘coming through’ and, so, I’m sure we won’t be without young, attacking players providing competition down that side in the very near future.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Not exactly. When I look at our next fixture away at RB Leipzig it just screams, ‘Dead Rubber’! It’s a match where key players can be given time to rest & recharge and where fringe players can be given a go, as well as youngsters given some vital experience.

Therefore, I’d like to see Joao & Bernardo start this one. Additionally, if both players are at their 100% very best; Laporte just about edges it for me over Stones…although I’d like to see Aymeric clean up some tackles and silliness from his recent performances.

I think we need to go into this match with a strong 11; go for all-3 points the best we can and then use the week ahead to fix any aches, pains & niggles.

Result? I’ve already said quite a bit about our hosts in my opening gambit but I just want to ‘stick a bit more detail’ on their recent set of results.

First of all, lets forget (I’m sure Watford fans will want to) their first game under their new manager when they got slammed 0-5 at home to a very much in-form Liverpool side. Since then, 2 of their defeats were by just one goal (two 1-0’ers) and even though they lost at Leicester in their last match of November, where they concede 4 goals; they still managed to breach the home side’s defence twice; a game where they also, apparently, created more chances than their hosts on the night.

And they can score. They registered 5 away at struggling Everton and 4 at home to inconsistent Manyoo, as well as netting an equaliser in the afore mentioned Chelsea clash last Wednesday.

We’ve definitely got to be ready to manage their threats, especially when you consider that we’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in our last 3 outings / victories…

But not only do we have most of our players back from injury, illness and suspension; we’re in incredible form. What I’m personally very impressed with, apart from the footballing class that we’re showing on the pitch, is the sheer hard work and comradery on view.

All of that will be needed once again and I believe it’ll be a crackin’ game; one that I’m putting down as a win for us.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dry, at least, but chilly (around 4 or 5C). One factor that might have a small effect on the game is the stiff, westerly breeze (average 12MPH), which is forecast to sweep across diagonally from one corner to the opposite, far-side-flag. It could affect some crosses in one of the boxes, at least, should the wind ‘gust’ at times.