Watford vs Wolves
1st January 1500hrs
Football – England– Premier League
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 4/5 odds taken 1800 GMT, Tuesday 31 December)
Watford have renewed hope of staying in the Premier League since Nigel Pearson has taken over. Wolves are their next opponents as the visitors look to stay in the hunt for a potential top four finish.
Premier League Betting at Bet365
Watford vs Wolves Live Stats & Betting Odds
Watford Preview – Can Watford’s revival continue under Pearson as they try to bring more teams into the relegation battle?
Just as many thought the appointment of Nigel Pearson was about equipping Watford for next season’s Championship, the sudden upturn in fortunes since the change in head coach means there is renewed hope the Hornets could well preserve their Premier League status. Watford come into their first game of 2020 having taken seven points from three matches and losing one of the first four under Pearson. Even that loss came against the runaway league leaders when there was a lot of positives to take from the game. Since then Watford have defeated Manchester United and Aston Villa at home without conceding a goal. Sandwiched in between that was well-earned point away to Sheffield United. Another victory on Wednesday could well see Watford go level on points with fourth-bottom West Ham.
That has been the impact of Watford’s improved form. For a while it looked as though it was only four teams threatened with relegation but there are now just six points separating themselves from Brighton in 14th with just under half the season to go. That gives the bottom three more hope they can get out of this, especially with business to be done in the January transfer window.
Wolves Preview – Will Wolves bounce back from defeat to leaders Liverpool and remain on the heels of fourth-place?
There was some doubt that Wolves could have as impressive a season this time around than last season. Two of the key reasons for this was that the second campaign following promotion is often more difficult to sustain a similar level of success. The other was as a result of that success in that Wolves are competing in the Europa League and having to balance the two commitments. As we approach the New Year it appears those concerns have been unfounded. Wolves are threatening the top four whilst also qualifying for the knockout stages in Europe. There is a huge amount to be optimistic about in 2020 as the club goes from strength to strength on and off the field.
Results over the festive period have been good, too. Wins over Norwich and Manchester City have come after going behind showing how resilient this group of players are. There was disappointment for Wolves when losing narrowly to Liverpool on Sunday but even then it was another impressive performance. One we have become so used to seeing. The prospect of a top four finish is a very real one now. They are now only five points behind Chelsea in fourth. It very much feels like it’s one of four clubs who will fill that final Champions League position.
Key-Facts – Watford vs Wolves
- Watford are now within touching distance of moving out the bottom three having taken seven points from their last three games
- It may have been disappointment for Wolves against Liverpool on Sunday but they are genuine contenders for a top four finish and Champions League qualification
- It was a comfortable win for Wolves when hosting Watford earlier this season and they also won at Vicarage Road earlier this year
Watford vs Wolves Betting Advice
Wolves had no problems when getting the better of Watford in the first meeting of the season between the two. You sense this is going to be a different proposition with the form of the home team and the belief that will be building. It would be a remarkable festive period if they are able to get a result here and would set them up will for the remainder of the season. The return to fitness of Troy Deeney is another reason as to why their form is improving.
One of the key themes of Wolves’ away games is the number of goals they produce. The 1-0 away to Liverpool was the first time since the beginning of October where both teams have not scored in Wolves away game in the Premier League. Seven of their 10 away games this season have went this way. With Watford carrying more threat bank on both teams finding the net in this one.
