West Brom v Watford preview: Duo target top six in Premier League

Image: West Brom won 4-0 in their last home match

West Brom and Watford have the chance to climb up to sixth in the Premier League with victory at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

The Baggies are aiming for their third victory in four games and were impressive 4-0 winners over Burnley in their last home outing.

"We've got to keep it going," said Baggies boss Tony Pulis after an unbeaten November. "It's important that everybody understands where we are as a group, as a club and as a team. The fans have given us great support again."

Watford have won two and lost two of their last four matches to sit eighth in the Premier League table at the start of December.

However, they are bottom of the fairplay table, having collected 33 yellow cards and committed 184 fouls.

Advertisement
Watch a preview of Saturday's Premier League fixtures

Nine of those bookings have been for dissent, and Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri said: "This is something I am not very happy about and I spoke to my players in the week about it.

"In football it can happen, you can even be right about the protest, but my players have to think about performing on the pitch and that's it, so in the future we will be more careful about the situation."

Also See:

Team news

Baggies goalkeeper Boaz Myhill (ankle) is still out while Saido Berahino is a doubt.

Valon Behrami and Miguel Britos are both suspended for Watford, but a late decision will be made on whether Isaac Success makes his return.

Image: Isaac Success has not played since October 16

The Hornets club-record signing has not played since October 16 due to a thigh injury. Younes Kaboul also faces a late fitness test.

Opta stats

West Brom failed to score in either Premier League game against Watford last season, their only Premier League meetings to date.

Watford have won just one of their last eight league visits to the Hawthorns (D3 L4), though this win came last season.

West Brom had gone 15 league games without defeat against Watford (W8 D7) before losing to them in April.

No Premier League team has scored more goals from corners in 2016/17 than West Brom (six).

This video is only available on Skysports.com.
Open to watch

Watford are one of two sides yet to score from a corner (also Sunderland), and they've also conceded the joint-most alongside Crystal Palace (seven).

Watford have used players from 19 different countries this season; the biggest spread of nationalities in the top-flight.

Matt Phillips has had a hand in five goals in his last three Premier League appearances (two goals, three assists).

Paul Merson's prediction

West Brom are flying. Tony Pulis is pulling up trees there. I know some fans moan about the style, but they'll never go down with Pulis in charge. If he went and took a team over who are at the bottom, he'd keep them up too.

Watford are like a bag of Revels. They were atrocious against Stoke but then looked like world beaters the week before that. I just can't back them here, especially as Pulis could do with a win bonus after the week he's had!

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (14/1 with Sky Bet - Most popular Super 6 selection: 25 per cent predict 1-1)

Betting

West Brom are Sky Bet's 11/10 favourites for the victory with Watford priced at 13/5 while the draw is a 9/4 chance. Both sides heads into the clash as outside chances to face the drop, with the Baggies a 10/1 chance while their visitors are priced at 16/1. Rondon heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 while Deeney is rated the Hornets' main threat at 11/2 to net first.

West Brom v Watford is part of this weekend's Soccer Saturday Super 6 line-up, with £250,000 up for grabs. Enter your predictions here.

Outbrain