AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth hit the road for the second time in four days when they meet Championship rivals Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).
The clash, which is being shown on Sky Sports Main Event, sees the third-placed Hornets host fourth-placed Cherries, with both teams having made impressive starts to the season.
Under the stewardship of recently-appointed head coach Vladimir Ivic (pictured below), Watford have lost just one of their first six league games, at table-topping Reading earlier this month.
Following relegation along with the Cherries, the Hornets kicked off the new campaign with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road.
They beat Oxford on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup before exiting at Newport County in the third round having drawn 0-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on September 19th.
Teenage wonderkid Joao Pedro settled their eagerly-awaited derby with Luton by scoring his first goal for the club before George Puscas’s effort condemned them to defeat at the Madejski Stadium.
Brazilian Pedro, 19, bagged a stunning winner to see off Derby and was again on target in their 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Ryan Gray who covers the fortunes of Watford for the Watford Observer.
WATFORD IN PROFILE
Head coach: Vladimir Ivic (appointed August 2020)
Club captain: Troy Deeney
Last game: Watford 3-1 Blackburn (Championship)
Leading goalscorer 2020/21: Joao Pedro (three)
League position: Third
Past six league results: WDWLWW
afcb.co.uk: Summarise Watford’s start to the season?
RG: They’ve not been too bad – very solid at the back and prior to Wednesday’s game with Blackburn had only conceded one goal. There have been one or two issues with creativity in attack, but returning players should sort that out.
afcb.co.uk: How have things changed under new head coach Vladimir Ivic?
RG: The players look a lot more solid and disciplined. Last season, they were conceding goals for fun, but that has certainly stopped now.
afcb.co.uk: What did you make of Watford’s transfer business (and keeping Troy Deeney and Ismaila Sarr)?
RG: I think they did well on the whole, particularly given some of the players they retained.
Deeney (pictured above) and Sarr are the standouts, but the likes of Etienne Capoue, Will Hughes, Christian Kabasele and Tom Cleverley will also be very important.
The players they brought in have bolstered the squad as well, particularly in defence with the likes of Jeremy Ngakia and William Troost-Ekong looking very solid.
afcb.co.uk: What’s Joao Pedro’s backstory?
RG: He was signed in October 2018 for a pretty small fee from Brazilian club Fluminense, the same club Watford bought Richarlison from.
He arrived last January and didn’t really get any opportunities in the Premier League because of the relegation battle.
But he’s been given the number 10 shirt this season and looks to be an important part of Ivic’s plans.
He scored his first senior goal for the club in a derby win over Luton Town before his wonder strike against Derby last weekend sealed another three points. He was again on target in the midweek win over Blackburn.
He’s still only 19, so is definitely one to watch.
afcb.co.uk: Other than Pedro (pictured above), who is Watford’s dangerman?
RG: I’d expect Sarr to be playing this weekend and his threat is no secret at all.
He’s fast, skilful and will cause problems for defenders all day long.
The left of the pitch is also pretty exciting going forward too, with Kiko Femenia and Ken Sema linking up nicely together at times.
afcb.co.uk: How has Glenn Murray looked so far this season?
RG: He’s barely got a look-in so far and when he did play against Sheffield Wednesday, he looked rusty and was substituted after just 58 minutes. I think he needs to work on his match fitness.
afcb.co.uk: Are any players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
RG: Deeney, Hughes and Andre Gray are probably the biggest names who will be unavailable this weekend.
But Stipe Perica is returning from his suspension after picking up a red card in the Carabao Cup, while Etienne Capoue looks set to return as well.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
RG: If Watford have a full-strength squad, I think they’ll be difficult to break down. I’m going 1-0 to the Hornets.
You can follow Ryan on Twitter – @ObserverRyan
Officials: Tim Robinson (referee), Andrew Fox (assistant), Lee Venamore (assistant), Charles Breakspear (fourth).
