AFCB

First Team

Match pack: Watford v AFC Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth are back on the road this weekend as Eddie Howe's side travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford.

Watford v AFC Bournemouth 
Saturday 6th October, 3pm  
Premier League 
Vicarage Road 

Saturday's game looks set to be an extremely even contest as sixth take on seventh in English football's top flight. With both teams having won four, drawn one and lost two in the Premier League, it's anyone's game this weekend. 

Javi Gracia's side will be looking for their first win in four, failing to beat the likes of Fulham and Tottenham in recent weeks. Both teams will be looking to enter the international break with three points, cementing their position in the top half. 

Last time out 

Arsenal 2-0 Watford 

Despite the 2-0 defeat, Watford came away from the Emirates with plenty of praise, creating numerous chances and enjoying plenty of possession in what was a tight fixture. 

An own goal from Craig Cathcart gave the hosts the lead before Mesut Ozil struck late to ensure Arsenal left with all three points. Nevertheless, a battling Hornets side left with their heads held high in what was a valiant performance. 

Watford: Foster, Navarro, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Gray (Success 72), Deeney. 

2017/18 top scorer: Abdoulaye Doucoure (7 goals) 

Team news 

Gerard Deulofeu could make his first appearance since May for Watford, having not played since the final day of last season due to a foot problem.

Javi Gracia announced that the winger is available for the game, while Stefano Okaka, Miguel Britos and Sebastian Prodl, all of whom were unavailable for the Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham, are back in contention.

The manager 

Having managed, largely in Spain, for the best part of ten years, Javi Gracia now finds himself in England and has adapted to Premier League life in excellent fashion. 

Taking over from Marco Silva in January, he guided the Hornets to a respectable 14th place in last season's Premier League but this year, with the additions of Ben Foster and Marc Navarro, has got the side comfortably sitting in the top half. 

Top stat 

Since returning to the top flight in 2015-16, Watford have scored seven own goals, more than any current Premier League side.