Watford vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Vicarage RoadAttendance20,575.
Saturday 1 October 2016 14:15, UK
Watford defenders Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos are struggling with groin injuries ahead of the visit of Bournemouth on Saturday.
The possible absence of Cathcart could see a return to the starting line-up for Younes Kaboul, with the centre-back named on the bench for their defeat at Burnley on Monday.
Watford and Bournemouth sit on seven points after six games, with the Cherries recording an impressive 1-0 win over Everton last weekend.
Following Sam Allardyce's departure as England manager, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has been sounded out as a possible replacement for the national role.
And while Howe conceded managing England was the "ultimate job", the 38-year-old remains committed to the Cherries cause as they chase a third league win of the season.
Watford duo Isaac Success and Abdoulaye Doucoure are pushing for their first league starts while Daryl Janmaat remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Bournemouth winger Marc Pugh will be out for up to three weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury at the start of September.
Howe has received better news on Josh King's hamstring problem and hopes he will be in contention on Saturday.
Adam Smith has suffered no ill-effects from a bloody nose he sustained in the win against Everton and Ryan Fraser (knock) is available.
Watford have won four and drawn two of their last six games in all competitions versus the Cherries at Vicarage Road.
Troy Deeney scored a hat-trick on his first appearance versus Bournemouth for Watford in August 2013, but hasn't netted in any of the four meetings since.
Eddie Howe's joint-heaviest defeat as a manager came against Watford in August 2013, losing 6-1 at Vicarage Road (joint with losing 5-0 to Morecambe in December 2009).
The Hornets have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League games.
Watford have conceded five headed goals in the top-flight this season, more than any other side. This equates to 45 per cent of their total goals shipped (11).
Jack Wilshere has now gone 19 Premier League appearances without playing the full 90 minutes; last making it to the final whistle on September 13, 2014 against Manchester City.
At 29 years and 275 days, the average age of Watford's starting 11 this season is the highest in the Premier League.
Which Watford will turn up? The one that beat Manchester United and West Ham or the one that got beaten at Burnley? It's all about attitude, some teams think they can turn up and win, but it doesn't work like that. That's why people love this league, because anybody can beat anybody.
Bournemouth got a decent result against Everton and Wilshere looked good. He is only going to get better.
I don't see much between these two sides. I think it will be a good game that ends in a draw.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 2-2)
Watford are Sky Bet's 13/10 favourites for the victory on Saturday, with Bournemouth given a 2/1 chance while the draw is priced at 12/5.
Both sides are considered outsiders in the relegation at 11/2 and 7/1 respectively, although top-half finishes are also odds-against chances.
Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo share favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 apiece, while Callum Wilson is deemed the visitors' biggest threat at 13/2 to net first.
Watford v Bournemouth is included in this week's Soccer Saturday Super 6 line-up. Enter your predictions here for the chance to win £250,000.
