Week 16 – Brentford vs Watford – Sport Grill

Brentford welcome Watford to Brentford Community Stadium in Friday Night Football as two of this season’s promoted teams collide.

Victory would lift Brentford up to ninth until Saturday afternoon whereas Watford can climb as high as 14th with a win.

Team News

Embed from Getty Images

Ivan Toney is ruled out for Brentford after testing positive for Coronavirus which forced him to sit out Sunday’s draw at Leeds.

Sergi Canos is suspended for this match after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Elland Road last weekend.

Julian Jeanvier, David Raya (both knee), Kristoffer Ajer, Mathias Jorgensen (both hamstring) and Josh Dasilva (hip) remain ruled out indefinitely.

Watford could welcome Ken Sema back from a knee injury.

Ben Foster (groin), Peter Etebo (quad), Adam Masina (thigh), Kwadwo Baah (ankle), Francisco Sierralta, Nicolas N’Koulou (both hamstring) and Ismaila Sarr (knee) remain absent.

Stat Attack

• This is Brentford’s first-ever Premier League clash against Watford.
• Brentford have won just one of their last six meetings against Watford (W1, D1, L4).
• Watford have lost just one of their seven league visits to Brentford (W3, D3, L1).
• Thomas Frank’s Bees have kept just three clean sheets in nine home games in all competitions this season.
• Danny Rose has been yellow carded in each of Watford’s last two matches.

Prediction

After a recent dip in form, Brentford seem to have rediscovered their groove with one defeat in their last four matches, yet looked back to their attacking best at Leeds with excellent work rate and pressing across the pitch but let down by poor marking which cost them the win.

Watford meanwhile were simply outplayed by Manchester City with their defensive issues proving their downfall, which just hasn’t improved compared to their attack which looks more confident even if that aspect of their play did slowly grow into the game last weekend.

This game though offers a huge chance for Watford to open a six-point gap to the relegation zone if their defence can make progress and they score first, yet Brentford will make this a difficult contest with their work rate and have already won on a Friday evening this season.

Now if both teams can sort out their defensive issues then a draw would be a solid punt especially with Toney ruled out, otherwise I would of gone for a home win here.

Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Watford

Related