Swansea City will look to build on their promising draw away from home against Tottenham last weekend when they welcome Marco Silva’s Watford to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Paul Clement’s side haven’t enjoyed the best of starts to the new season, winning just one of their opening five games, but a battling rear-guard display last Saturday will boost morale going forward.
By contrast, Watford suffered their first defeat after being on the end of yet another Manchester City hammering and will be looking to bounce back straightaway and record a third league victory.
Read on for The Boot Room’s detailed preview as Watford take the trip to Wales on Saturday.
Recent Form
The Swans have endured an indifferent start to the new season, winning one, drawing two and losing two of their first five matches as they currently sit a few places above the relegation zone.
Their performances in defeat against Manchester United, and the draws at Southampton and Tottenham, have showed signs of defensive resilience but they’ve been too inconsistent so far.
Marco Silva’s Watford side have made a more promising start, with last weekend’s 6-0 reverse against Manchester City the only blot on their copybook after going unbeaten for the opening four matches.
Victories against Bournemouth and Southampton appeared comfortable and, allied with their dramatic last-gasp draw with Liverpool on the opening day, the Hornets have made a solid start.
Swansea did have something to shout about during the week through, seeing off Championship outfit Reading to secure a prestigious fourth round Carabao Cup clash with Manchester United next month.
Team News
Despite putting out a strong side in the week Paul Clement has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s encounter, with Wilfried Bony pushing for a first Premier League start since his return.
The visitors have had a week to rest after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the previous round, and as such Marco Silva has an almost full squad at his disposal as he looks for another win.
Kiko Femenia and Sebastian Prodl could both return to defence after missing last weekend’s loss through respective injuries, whilst Miguel Britos will sit out the final game of his three-match ban.
Predicted Line-Ups
[sfve id1=”967″ id2=”966″]
Match Prediction: Swansea City 1-1 Watford
It might not have all the hallmarks of a classic over in Wales but it will be an intriguing encounter nonetheless, with Swansea looking to kick-start their season whilst Watford aim to re-build theirs.
The Hornets will arrive at the Liberty with an excellent recent away record, winning back-to-back games without conceding, and under Silva they seem to have found a way to win closely-fought matches.
And they may need to draw on that once again on Saturday against an ever-improving Swansea outfit, although it’s a more likely scenario that both teams will cancel each other out and earn a point apiece.