Saturday 21st January 2016 Kickoff: 1500hrs Bournemouth v Watford Football – England – Premier League Bournemouth and Watford were promoted from the Championship together back in 2014 and comfortably survived their first season in the top flight last term. More than halfway through this campaign and there is more than a decent chance that they will return to this level for a third straight season but there remains work to do for both and points against teams in and around each team will be important in securing their Premier League status for another season.
Bournemouth have been a breath of fresh air since being promoted to the league playing some delightful football and always looking to win games whether it is home or away. As you would expect with such a philosophy the Cherries have had to endure some disappointment along the way but there have been far more enjoyable days than not. One of those disappointments did come last week, however, when losing 3-1 away to Hull despite taking an early lead. It was their third defeat in their last five league games which has just got them looking over their shoulder a bit. Eddie Howe’s men still hold a sizeable lead of nine points over the Tigers who sit third bottom but there will be some anxiety considering their lack of wins recently. Saturday will represent a good opportunity to get back on track as they face a team currently below them, at home.
There was much emotion surrounding Watford’s match with Middlesbrough last weekend on the back of the sad passing of former manager Graham Taylor. That game ended in a draw and extended the Hornets’ winless run six in the league and means they have won just once in their last nine. It’s a concerning run of form for manager Walter Mazzari who is taking charge of his first club outside of Italy this season. Their form away from home is particularly concerning as they have lost five straight managing to score just two goals in those games and conceding 14. As it has been such a struggle for Watford to collect points and wins over the last couple of months there is increased risk of them being dragged closer to the foot of the table. They travel to Bournemouth two points worse off than their opponents and will be desperate to halt their recent slide.
Bournemouth v Watford Betting Tips
These two shared the spoils in the reverse fixture played at the beginning of October after a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road. That has been the story more often than not when Bournemouth have faced Watford of late as five of their last seven have ended in draws. With only two points separating the two after 21 games then there is good reason to expect more of the same. Bournemouth will certainly be looking for all three playing at home and coming off the back of a difficult loss last weekend but a point away from home for Watford – who have struggle of late – would probably be seen as a decent result.
The Cherries have a decent home record with five wins and two draws from their 11 games and it could have been even better if they had managed to hold on to a 3-0 lead against Arsenal in their last home encounter. You would expect a similar level of performance to be good enough against Watford this Saturday and they appear to be a more dynamic and threatening side than the one Mazzari has assembled. Another defeat for Watford depending on results elsewhere could well see them seen as realistic relegation contenders and I’m backing the home team to inflict that on them.
