Live on Sky: Watford vs Arsenal preview

Team news, key stats and predictions ahead of Watford vs Arsenal in the Premier League.

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Live Renault Super Sunday

Team news

Quique Sanchez Flores will be without defender Craig Cathcart for the first game of his second spell in charge at Watford. Cathcart sustained a tear in his thigh over the international break while playing for Northern Ireland and is expected to be out for two to three weeks.

The Hornets are also without club captain Troy Deeney after he underwent knee surgery in August.

Nicolas Pepe is expected to be fit for Arsenal's short trip to Hertfordshire. The forward did not feature for the Ivory Coast in the international break but head coach Unai Emery said he is ready to play at Vicarage Road.

Rob Holding (knee) is closing in on a return but the game could come too soon, while Hector Bellerin (knee), Kieran Tierney and Konstantinos Mavropanos (both groin) are further away as they step up their recovery.

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How to watch

Watford vs Arsenal is live on Renault Super Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 4.30pm after Bournemouth vs Everton. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

• Use Sky Sports special offer to watch
• Or watch live on Now TV for £9.99

Opta stats

• Watford have lost five of their six Premier League home games against Arsenal, coming from behind to win the other 2-1 in October 2017.
• Arsenal have won their last three Premier League meetings with Watford, keeping a clean sheet each time. Indeed, Watford were the only side not to score against the Gunners in the Premier League last season.
• None of the 12 top-flight meetings between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road have finished level - Watford won five of the first six such games (L1), while Arsenal have won five of the most recent six (L1).
• Watford haven't lost their opening three home league matches of a season since the 1991-92 campaign - the Hornets won their opening three at Vicarage Road last season.
• Arsenal have conceded nine penalty goals in the Premier League since the start of last season - only Brighton & Hove Albion have conceded more (10).
• Watford haven't lost five consecutive home league games since December 2013 under Gianfranco Zola in the Championship, last doing so in the top-flight in April 1988.
• Arsenal have kept just nine clean sheets in 42 Premier League matches under Unai Emery but two of those were against Watford last season.

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

Watford will look to cause another upset and get off the mark. They like to get physical with Arsenal, so they may approach it this way again. With Quique Sanchez Flores coming in again, it will certainly boost the hosts. I liked him before, but he did not play overly aggressive. He played quite technically. How are Arsenal's struggles at the back capable of competing with the physical side? The midfield and attack should be strong enough.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-3 (12/1 with Sky Bet)

Fantasy Football tip

Watford have a new boss but can Quique Sanchez Flores shore up their defence after conceding eight in four? Nicolas Pepe (£9.8m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m) will hope to profit for the Gunners. Play Fantasy Football here.

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