AFC Bournemouth will be looking to return to winning ways when they entertain in-form Championship high-fliers Watford on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).
The Cherries have slipped out of the top six for the first time this season following back-to-back defeats by QPR and Cardiff City in the past seven days.
Watford, meanwhile, arrive at Vitality Stadium on the back of a four-match winning run which has seen them beat Bristol City (6-0), Preston (1-0), Derby (2-1) and Blackburn (3-2).
Since replacing Vladimir Ivic in December, head coach Xisco Munoz has presided over eight victories and two draws in his 12 games in the Championship.
Munoz, who was recruited from Dinamo Tbilisi, started his reign with a 1-0 win over leaders Norwich City at Vicarage Road and has guided the Hornets to third place, level on 60 points with Brentford who are second.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Ryan Gray who covers the fortunes of the Hornets for the Watford Observer.
WATFORD IN PROFILE
Manager: Xisco Munoz (appointed December 2020)
Club captain: Troy Deeney
Last game: Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Watford (Championship)
Leading league goalscorer 2020/21: Joao Pedro (9)
League position: Third
Past six league results: LDWWWW
afcb.co.uk: How has Xisco Munoz (pictured below) changed things since his arrival?
RG: Initially, there wasn’t a lot of change but he changed the formation a few games ago.
They had been playing a 4-4-2 and he changed it to a 4-3-3 with Will Hughes in the centre of midfield. Since then, they have won every game.
They have looked more attacking, a lot more creative and it’s really turned things around for them.
afcb.co.uk: What have you made of the Championship this season?
RG: It’s been a pretty typical Championship season in that it’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen.
At the start of the season, I don’t think many people were predicting Swansea to do quite as well as they have.
There have been a few surprises with Watford. They haven’t been very strong on the road and it’s been a weak point for them.
There have been a few games they would definitely have expected to have done better in.
afcb.co.uk: Ismaila Sarr (pictured below) equalled his best goal return in a season when he scored at Blackburn – give us your thoughts on him?
RG: He’s really benefited from the change of system. He was played very wide in the 4-4-2 and struggled to get involved in games.
Now, he’s a bit further forward in the 4-3-3 and is really imposing himself a lot more in games.
He’s scored four goals in his past eight games and has been involved in a lot of goals for other players. He’s really started to come into his own.
afcb.co.uk: Troy Deeney has not featured in the four-game winning run – what’s happened to him?
RG: He’s got Achilles tendon damage. He’s in a boot at the moment and nobody seems to have a clear idea of when he will be back.
The boot was initially going to be on for two weeks and that was just over a week ago so he will be out for a little while longer yet.
afcb.co.uk: How has Dan Gosling settled in?
RG: He’s looked good. He made his first start against Blackburn and was subbed off in the second half.
I thought he looked a bit leggy and maybe tired as the game went on. When he’s come off the bench, he has slotted in pretty seamlessly.
afcb.co.uk: Who is Watford’s one to watch?
RG: Joao Pedro (pictured above). He’s only 19 but has more than filled in with Deeney absent for large parts of the season.
Deeney missed the first couple of months with an injury and Pedro deputised brilliantly then.
After a bit of rotation when Xisco arrived, he’s set up with Pedro for the past few games and he’s done well.
He’s quite a diminutive-looking guy but he’s really strong and has a lot of nous and guile.
He’s creative in front of goal and I think a lot of teams have under-estimated him this season. He has a really bright future.
afcb.co.uk: Apart from Troy Deeney, are any first-choice players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
RG: It’s more or less a clean bill of health apart from Ben Foster who has been out since the start of January with a broken finger.
But Daniel Bachmann (pictured below) has been a more than adequate replacement for him so, other than that, they are pretty much at full strength.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
RG: Given the way both teams’ form is at the moment, Watford are in a good position to make the most of it and get a 2-0 win.
You can follow Ryan on Twitter – @ObserverRyan
Officials: Tony Harrington (referee), Ian Cooper (assistant), Matthew Jones (assistant), Andy Woolmer (fourth official).
