Watford will be looking to move further away from the relegation spots, with a win being vital to the continuing relegation battle.
Danny Welbeck’s acrobatic goal against Norwich secured the win and with tough matches ahead, Nigel Pearson will be looking to beat the Magpies and then fellow relegation battlers West Ham in their next two matches.
Before being thrashed by Manchester City in the midweek fixtures, Newcastle’s were picking up a good amount of points, largely inspired by the scintillating form of French winger Allan Saint-Maximin who helped to secure Newcastle’s Premier League status for another season.
When and where?
The match will be held at Watford’s Vicarage Road, kicking off at 12:30pm on Saturday, July 11.
Previous meetings
In their last match eleven months ago, the teams played out a goalless draw at St James’ Park.
Watford are unbeaten in all of their home matches against Newcastle in the Premier League, with the Magpies only winning one of their last eight matches against the Hornets.
Team news
For Watford, long-term absentees Deulofeu, Janmaat and Success remain injured but there are no new injury or fitness concerns.
Almiron and Saint-Maximin may both have fitness tests, and Jamaal Lascelles may return, but Emil Krafth remains a doubt.
Last five matches
Watford:
(W) 2-1 vs Norwich
(L) 3-0 vs Chelsea
(L) 1-3 vs Southampton
(L) 1-0 vs Burnley
(D) 1-1 vs Leicester
The win against Norwich ended a run of six games without a win, with the last victory before that being the famous 3-0 against Liverpool back in February
Newcastle:
(L) 5-0 vs Manchester City
(D) 2-2 vs West Ham
(W) 1-4 vs Bournemouth
(L) 0-2 vs Manchester City
(D) 1-1 vs Aston Villa
Newcastle’s recent form lacks consistency, but with safety secured, they may look to play a more free game and look to be positive.
With Newcastle still reeling from the battering at the Etihad, I’m tipping Watford to get the win in this fixture, as they will be playing for their survival. Nigel Pearson has been in this situation before with Leicester and will know how to boost his players’ mentality going into this fixture.
Score prediction- Watford 1-0 Newcastle
Match Preview written by Tom Cresswell.