Watford are on the road again, as they face a Bournemouth side who were alongside the Hornets in gaining promotion to the top flight, last season.
Bournemouth are heading into this game without their key man and goal scorer, Callum Wilson, who picked up a long term injury in their away defeat to Stoke last weekend, and he has scored five of their nine goals this season.
The Hornets are heading into this game on the back of a home defeat to Crystal Palace, last Sunday, whilst as mentioned, the Cherries are hoping to get their form back on track, seizing the opportunity to play at home again, after a 2-1 defeat away to Stoke last weekend.
Last time the two sides met, it was a very controversial one, as on loan QPR defender, then Watford defender, Gabriele Angella was wrongly dismissed by Lee Probert in the opening thirty seconds of the tie in January 2015, with the game ending in a 2-0 defeat for the Hornets.
Quotes From The Gaffer:
Watford boss Quique Flores speaking to watfordfc.com:
“They (Bournemouth) are a very tough team and they won the league last year. In the matches with Bournemouth last year we did not win, so we know how dangerous this team is.”
The Spaniard added, “We try to set up a good plan with the idea to reduce Bournemouth`s threat, the idea to adapt to the dimension of the stadium and the idea to create something and create opportunities.”
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Bournemouth are without a lot of their key men heading into this game.
As mentioned, their top goalscorer Callum Wilson will miss out due to a long term injury, alongside new signings Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings, who are also suffering long term injuires.
Former Charlton man Harry Arter also misses out for the Cherries, whilst skipper Tommy Elphick is also ruled out.
Player to watch: Matt Ritchie
Matt Ritchie has steadily settled to life in the Barclays Premier League, and Eddie Howe has asked his players to ‘step up’, due to long term injuries to his key players, so doubt the former Swindon man will be looking to be Bournemouth’s new match winner this season.
Watford Team News:
The Hornets will still be without Valon Behrami, who is serving the last game of his three match ban, whilst Joel Ekstrand continues to miss out.
Obbi Oulare who arrived from Club Brugge in the summer on deadline day is still yet too make a Hornets appearance, but is likely to be amongst the subs this weekend.
There is unconfirmed reports that Jurado is out with an injury, which could see Victor Ibarbo take the place of the Spaniard winger.
Player to watch: Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo scored a brace in Watford’s last outing, and has scored in three of the three Hornets’ away games this season, and will be looking to give another Premier League defence a tough afternoon.
Applause for Mick Cunningham
There will be an applause for Mick Cunningham in fifty-fifth minute, a former photographer and programme editor for AFC Bournemouth, who passed away last weekend. Thoughts with him and his family.
Ref Watch:
Michael Oliver from Northumberland is the referee for the Cherries vs the Hornets this weekend, and is no stranger to Watford fans from previous events. Read our ‘Man In The Middle’ feature to find out all you need to know about the thirty year old from this season.
