Bournemouth vs Watford. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance11,123.
Saturday 21 January 2017 16:30, UK
Walter Mazzarri will take a late decision on the fitness of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes when Watford visit Bournemouth, on Saturday.
Four of the Cherries' last five matches in all competitions have been away from home and they are winless in their last three in all competitions, conceding nine goals in that period.
Defensive issues have restricted Bournemouth's progress this season - they have conceded 37 goals, only the bottom four sides have conceded more.
In fact, Eddie Howe's side have conceded three goals in eight of their last 10 games in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Watford have earned just two points from their last six Premier League games as the pressure has started to grow on manager Walter Mazzarri.
Team news
Howe has confirmed Marc Wilson is the only fresh injury concern for Bournemouth.
The Republic of Ireland international limped off in the FA Cup defeat at Millwall with a hamstring problem and has yet to recover.
Simon Francis will serve the final game of his three match ban after his sending off against Arsenal.
Max Gradel is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast.
Mazzarri will take a late decision on the fitness of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who limped off in their 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough last Saturday with a back injury.
Daryl Janmaat, who has been out since Boxing Day with a groin issue may feature, while new loan signing Tom Cleverley is pushing for a first start following his switch from Everton.
Nordin Amrabat and Adlene Guedioura are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Opta stats
Bournemouth have won only one of their last nine league contests with Watford (D5 L3) - 2-0 in January 2015.
All three of the Premier League meetings between these sides have ended level (0-0, 1-1 and 2-2); with Watford coming from behind in each score draw.
The Hornets haven't won away at Bournemouth in the league since December 1997 (D2 L1), with Peter Kennedy scoring the only goal against a Bournemouth team featuring Eddie Howe.
Bournemouth have dropped more points from leading positions than any other Premier League team this season (15).
Watford have used more players than any other Premier League side this season (28).
The Hornets are winless in their last six Premier League fixtures since beating Everton in December (D2 L4).
Merson's prediction
This is a game where both teams have really hit a brick wall. Bournemouth were another side that got knocked out of the FA Cup and it just continues. However, Watford have also been disappointing in recent weeks and I'm backing Howe's side to bounce back from defeat at Hull to claim a comfortable win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Bournemouth go into Saturday's home clash with Watford as 4/5 favourites, with the visitors 100/30 to pick up all three points. The draw is priced at 13/5, with 1-1 proving most popular in the correct score betting (11/2).
A repeat of the 2-2 draw between the sides at Vicarage Road earlier this season is on offer at 14/1, while Callum Wilson - who opened the scoring on that occasion - is the 4/1 favourite to do so again. Troy Deeney is considered most likely for the away side as a 15/2 chance.
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