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Manchester United vs Watford; Premier League

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Manchester United vs Watford. Premier League.

Old TraffordAttendance75,301.

Manchester United 2

  • J Mata (32nd minute)
  • A Martial (60th minute)

Watford 0

    Manchester United v Watford preview: Phil Jones to miss out for hosts

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    Watch a preview of Saturday's Premier League games including Manchester United v Watford

    Phil Jones will again be absent when Manchester United host Watford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

    The defender missed last weekend's win at Leicester with a foot injury and remains out but Marcos Rojo is available after picking up a knock at the King Power Stadium.

    Jose Mourinho's side could end the weekend in the top four if they beat Watford, Arsenal lose to Hull at the Emirates and Liverpool fail to win against Tottenham.

    Marcos Rojo only lasted 19 minutes at Old Trafford on Saturday
    Image: Marcos Rojo is available for Jose Mourinho on Saturday

    But the Hornets are in fine form, recently recording back-to-back wins in the league, including an impressive 2-1 victory at Arsenal.

    Those results have seen Walter Mazzarri's team climb into the top half of the table, although they have never won a league game at Old Trafford.

    Troy Deeney celebrates after scoring Watford's opening goal
    Image: Troy Deeney has scored three goals in his last three league games

    Team news

    Apart from Jones, Mourinho confirmed he has no new injury concerns, with Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial pushing for game time while Wayne Rooney is back from illness.

    Mazzarri will check on the fitness of Miguel Britos and Valon Behrami after both missed training days in midweek.

    Also See:

    Nordin Amrabat (ankle), Camilo Zuniga (fever), Costel Pantilimon (ankle) and Christian Kabasele (calf) remain sidelined.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United controls the ball while Valon Behrami of Watford watches on
    Image: Valon Behrami (right) faces a late fitness test

    Opta stats

    Manchester United have never lost a home league game against the Hornets (W7 D2 L0), winning all three against them in the Premier League.

    Troy Deeney has scored two Premier League goals against the Red Devils, both penalties in the last five minutes of matches. However, he also scored a 90th minute own-goal to gift United victory in November 2015.

    Wayne Rooney's three previous appearances against Watford in all competitions have yielded three goals and two assists, with United's record goalscorer registering a goal and an assist in his only previous appearance against them at Old Trafford in January 2007.

    United are on their longest Premier League unbeaten run since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 (15 games - W8 D7 L0).

    TOPSHOT - Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial (L) embraces Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba (R) as he celebrates scoring the
    Image: Paul Pogba has not scored in the league since December

    Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have created 27 chances for one another in the Premier League this season, with Pogba supplying three assists for the Swede - the most of any duo.

    The Hornets have won their last two league games and they last won three in a row in December 2015 (a run of four).

    Since United lost 0-4 to Chelsea on October 23rd 2016, only Chelsea themselves (40) have won more Premier League points than the Red Devils (31).

    Merson's prediction

    Watford have had a couple of good results but it's hard to look past United at Old Trafford. If they sorted out their finishing they would easily be in the top four.

    When you fail to find the net a couple of times it's unlucky, but now it has to be classed as bad finishing.

    PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)

    ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 03:  Anthony Martial of Manchester United reacts during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Fenerbahce SK and Manchest
    Image: Anthony Martial is pushing for a recall to Mourinho's starting line-up

    Betting

    Manchester United are Sky Bet's shortest-priced favourites of the day at just 1/4, with Watford up against odds of 11/1 while the draw is priced at 19/4.

    Mourinho's men head into the weekend as 80/1 shots to win the Premier League, although they have shortened to 11/10 to secure a top-four finish, while the Hornets have drifted to 22/1 to face relegation following back-to-back wins.

    Ibrahimovic heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4 with Deeney rated the visitors' main threat at 12/1 to break the deadlock.

    There's £250,000 up for grabs again this weekend for simply predicting the six correct scores. Enter your selections by 3pm here.