Watford vs Norwich: Preview & Prediction

Friday 21st January 2022

Watford vs Norwich: Preview & Prediction

England Premier League
Friday 21st January 2022
Kick off at 8pm GMT
Venue: Vicarage Road

Match Preview:

Watford and Norwich, 17th v 18th what a game to kick start a brand new weekend of Premier League football.

This game is a classic six pointer and if either of these clubs finish in 17th place at the end of the season it would be a success story. Adding to what should be quite an intense game is that one of these clubs perhaps will be relegated this season and this game will tell us more which club it could be.

Both clubs have been poor this season but both come into this encounter avoiding defeats in their last game. Watford drew 1-1 away to Newcastle which was seen as a good result given that the club were trailing in that game. Norwich got a rare win just their 3rd of the season after beating Everton 2-1 which led to Everton manager Rafa Benitez being sacked. 

From their last 15 points on offer the Hornets have won just 1 and they are in 17th place and have 14 points. They are 5 points behind 16th placed Everton and only a point above the bottom three. At home Claudio Ranieri’s team has the worst record in the Premier League where from a possible 30 points they have won just seven. They are conceding on average 2 goals per game and have lost their last 4 games at home. The clubs last home win came back in November when they surprised everyone with a 4-1 victory over Manchester United.

Norwich have looked certainties to be relegated for most of the season and that is because they have spent the majority of it in last place. But because the teams just above them have also been poor a gap in points hasn’t developed. With the Canaries beating Everton last weekend they were able to jump from 20th to 18th as a consequence. Victory here would see the club move out of the bottom three so it is a huge game for Dean Smith’s side.

Norwich have lost 70% of their games away from home though with just 1 win which came against Brentford and they have lost their last 3. The club has the worst scoring record away from home with just 3 goals converted from 10 games played. Their last goal scored on the road came against Newcastle almost 2 months ago.

 

Team News: 

Watford: Kwado Baah is nearing a return from an ankle injury but seems doubtful to be involved in this game. Peter Etebo is 3 weeks away from a return with a thigh injury. Ismaila Sarr won’t return for another two weeks at least from his knee injury. Imran Louza, Adam Masina and William Troost-Ekong are on international duty.

Norwich: Kenny McLean will be assessed after illness forced him to miss the last game, he is being tipped to recover for this game. Tim Krul has a shoulder injury though it isn’t thought to be too serious and he may be involved. Christoph Zimmermann and Mathias Normann are still sidelined, Andrew Omobamidele and Lukas Rupp are not due back for another two weeks at least.

 

Watford vs Norwich Head to Head:

Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Watford beat Norwich 3-1.

Watford have won the last 5 meetings in a row and it’s been six years since Norwich beat the Hornets away from home.

There is a 60% chance to see over 2.5 goals.

 

Watford vs Norwich Prediction:

Both clubs are going to take a lot from their last games. Even though Watford drew their game there was a ton of pressure on them playing away to Newcastle who have completed some interesting signings as they try to escape the bottom three themselves and yet Ranieri’s team fought and asked a hard game of the Magpies, in short the draw would have felt like a victory.

For Norwich to survive this season they need to find consistency and it would be incredible for the team if they were to win 2 games in row. Their recent record over Watford is poor, and this being an away game we can see only one winner here. This is Watford’s cup final, and yes they will have a few of these games this season but it is a big one where they will feel they can put some space between themselves and the bottom three. We don’t see the Hornets under Ranieri making any slip ups in this game and will back them for the win.

 

Watford vs Norwich Betting Tips:

Watford to beat Norwich at 2.10

Anytime goalscorer: Emmanuel Dennis at 2.20

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