AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to build on their resounding FA Cup win against Luton Town when they face Premier League rivals Watford at Vitality Stadium on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
The Hornets, who were pipped by the Cherries to the 2014/15 Championship title, have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since the arrival of Nigel Pearson as manager.
Watford were marooned at the foot of the table having taken just nine points from their first 16 games when Pearson was appointed ahead of their trip to Liverpool last month.
And although the 56-year-old presided over a tenth Premier League defeat at Anfield, he worked his magic as the Hornets won three and drew one of their next four games.
They conceded just one goal in home victories against Manchester United (2-0), Aston Villa (3-0) and Wolves (2-1) and held high-flying Sheffield United to a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane.
Pearson, who is the club’s third manager this season following Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores, guided Leicester to Premier League safety in 2014/15 before they went on to win the title under Claudio Ranieri in 2015/16.
Watford arrive at Vitality Stadium on the back of a five-match unbeaten run having drawn 3-3 with Tranmere in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, the League One team scoring three times in the final 25 minutes to force a replay.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Ryan Gray, who covers the fortunes of Watford for the Watford Observer.
afcb.co.uk: Sum up Watford’s season so far?
RG: Prior to Nigel Pearson’s arrival, it was fairly dismal with both Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores struggling to inspire the confidence in their players to perform as well as they did last season.
However, Pearson and Craig Shakespeare are now getting a tune out of their players and things have been much more positive over the past few weeks with impressive wins over Manchester United, Aston Villa and Wolves.
afcb.co.uk: On current form, who is Watford’s player to watch?
RG: Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu (pictured above) have been the standout players of late.
Sarr is the club’s record signing and struggled a bit to get into the first team but has forced his way in with some really impressive performances.
Deulofeu, who has scored twice in the past three Premier League games, is more of a hit-or-miss player, but when he’s at his best, he will cause problems for any defence.
afcb.co.uk: With the Hornets six points adrift of safety after 17 games, did you think there would be any way back?
RG: It was beginning to look that way and, had they not beaten Manchester United, they would have been nine points adrift, which I think might have been too big an ask for them to recover.
As it is, they have now given themselves every chance of surviving.
afcb.co.uk: Could you have envisaged Nigel Pearson making such an impact in such a short space of time?
RG: The honest answer would have to be no.
I’ve always thought Watford had enough quality in their squad to avoid the drop, but what they were severely lacking was confidence.
Somehow, Pearson has changed that and they now all look refreshed and full of belief.
It has been a remarkable turnaround, but there is a long way to go.
afcb.co.uk: Are any first-choice players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
RG: Christian Kabasele (pictured above) was sent off in the last Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers so will be unavailable, which is a blow because he has been an important part of the recent upturn in form.
The club successfully appealed the three-match ban handed to Roberto Pereyra after he was sent off in the FA Cup against Tranmere so he will be available.
Elsewhere, Daryl Janmaat, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley remain part of a list of long-term absentees, while Kiko Femenia and Nathaniel Chalobah could be unavailable after recent injuries in their past two games.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
RG: Using recent form as an indication, with Watford winning three of their past four and Bournemouth winless during the same number of matches, I think this will be a 2-0 victory for the Hornets.
You can follow Ryan on Twitter – @ObserverRyan
Match officials: Mike Dean (referee), Darren Cann (assistant), Dan Robathan (assistant), Peter Bankes (fourth official), Stuart Attwell (VAR), Stephen Child (assistant VAR).
