Liverpool vs Watford: Preview and Prediction

Wednesday 27th February 2019

England Premier League
Wednesday 27th February 2019
Kick off at 8pm GMT
Venue: Anfield

Match Preview:

Finally we have a Premier League proper leader after Liverpool played their game in hand over Manchester City, and the result is that Liverpool are top by 1 point.

There has to be some disappointment in this from The Reds point of view given that the club were 7 points in front last month, which could have been 10 had they beaten Manchester City at the turn of the year.

Still Liverpool will have to get on with it and they will need to earn all three points when Watford come to visit. Whilst Liverpool have still only lost 1 game this season, on form the club would be in 7^th place and not first which has to raise some alarms. They come into this game having won only 1 of their matches from their last 4, with draws against the likes of West Ham, Leicester and Manchester United.

Liverpool will have the Merseyside derby at the weekend in the back of their minds, where anything can happen in those games and so this is a must win match in midweek. Home form has been superb though where they have won 35 points from 39 and have the 2^nd best home record in the league, and they have conceded just 7 goals at Anfield which is the best record.

Watford travelled to Cardiff last weekend and came away with a fantastic result beating Neil Warnock’s team 5-1. That moved The Hornets into 7^th place, which is the best they can realistically achieve this season. They are in good form and unbeaten from their last 3 games and winning back to back matches coming into this one.

Away from home they have just one loss in their last five, although it is probably telling that the defeat was against a top 3 side and came against Tottenham.

Team News:

Liverpool: Firmino is out with an ankle injury sustained in the draw against Manchester United. Dejan Lovren looks set to miss this game with his muscle injury and isn’t due back until next week

Watford: Jose Holebas is suspended for this game after his 10^th booking of the season. Femenia is out with a hamstring injury but could be back at the weekend

Liverpool vs Watford Head to Head:

Earlier this season Liverpool beat Watford 3-0.

Liverpool have scored 11 goals against Watford in the last 3 meetings.

Watford have not beaten Liverpool in the last six games and their last win came in 2015.

Liverpool have won the last 4 meetings at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Watford Prediction:

Watford got an encouraging win over Cardiff and any team that can score 5 goals will go into the next game with a lot of confidence. There is no question that they can start well at Anfield too. However Liverpool away from home is a massive step up from Cardiff and this will be a tough game. Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that his side have got over their recent wobbles- drawing away to Manchester United can’t be considered the same as the draws against West Ham and Leicester. It’s got to the point now that if Liverpool drop points here their titles chances could be in shatters as it would be more proof that the side are being affected by this. However we only have to look at how Liverpool were able to beat Bournemouth here a few weeks ago 3-0 to know that if they are on their game there will only be one result here.

Liverpool vs Watford Betting Tips:

Liverpool to beat Watford with a -1 goal handicap at 1.80

First goalscorer: Mohamed Salah at 3.75