Match Pack: Watford v Newcastle United

• Watford v Newcastle United
  
• Premier League
  
• Vicarage Road
  
• Saturday September 25, 3pm BST
  

Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referees: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth official: Martin Atkinson
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Marc Perry

Steve Bruce’s Magpies have endured a tricky start to 2021/22, picking up two points from the opening five games of the season.

In their last fixture, a hard-fought encounter with Leeds United saw Newcastle pick up a point at St. James’ Park, and they travel south on Saturday looking for their first away points of the campaign.

• Watford have won five of their 12 Premier League meetings with Newcastle (D4 L3) – there is no side that they have beaten on more occasions in the competition. Indeed, their 19 points against the Magpies is more than they’ve earned against any other opponent in the Premier League.
  
• Newcastle have won just one of their last nine away league games against Watford (D4 L4), while they’ve never won a top-flight match at Vicarage Road before (D5 L5).
  
• Watford have won 13 of their last 15 home league games (L2), losing their last such match at Vicarage Road 2-0 against Wolves.
  They’ve not lost back-to-back home league games since November 2019.
  
• Newcastle have failed to win any of their five Premier League games this season (D2 L3). They could become the first team to fail to win any of their first six on as many as six different occasions in the competition, with the Magpies previously doing so in 1999/00, 2003/04, 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2018/19.
  
• Newcastle won 2-0 at Fulham on the final day last season – they’ve not won consecutive Premier League matches against promoted sides since November 2015, while they haven’t done so away from home since winning all three such games in 2013/14.
  

For all of the key stats ahead of kick-off, check out our Watford v Newcastle Stats Buzz.

Daniel Bachmann is a fitness doubt due to a minor knee problem.

Kiko Femenía has returned to full training after his withdrawal at Carrow Road and is in contention for a spot in the squad.

Brazilian forward João Pedro, who hasn’t featured since May, is also training with the squad and may be considered.

Newcastle summer signing Joe Willock will miss the trip to Vicarage Road through a toe injury suffered in training.

Club captain Jamaal Lascelles is also absent, alongside Jonjo Shelvey, Freddie Woodman, Paul Dummett and Callum Wilson.

Xisco Muñoz, Watford Head Coach:

“We learnt in the last game that we have a lot of potential in attack, and we’re working hard to balance that by being solid in defence. If we get that balance we can deliver a wonderful performance.

“In the Premier League it is a step up, and we know that even just half a mistake can lead to conceding a soft goal. We are learning and we have big respect for all of our opponents, and Newcastle have a good team and manager.

“They have lots of different strengths and are dangerous in lots of different situations, but we know how important the game is in terms of building momentum and consistency. If we can find the right balance on the pitch I think we can win the points.”

Steve Bruce, Newcastle United Manager:

“We’ve got a couple of problems. Joe Willock picked up an injury in training and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his thigh against Leeds so they unfortunately go on to the injury list which makes it five or six we've got out.

“We decided to go to a back four [against Leeds] and match them up in the middle of the pitch which suited us, I believe. I enjoyed the game. It was difficult for us for 20 minutes but we responded well. I thought it was a terrific game so more of the same tomorrow.”

Overall:

• Won: 16
  
• Drawn: 15
  
• Lost: 16
  

Last Six:
July 2020: Watford 2-1 Newcastle United (Premier League)
August 2019: Newcastle United 1-1 Watford (Premier League)
January 2019: Newcastle United 0-2 Watford (FA Cup)
December 2018: Watford 1-1 Newcastle United (Premier League)
November 2018: Newcastle United 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
May 2018: Watford 2-0 Newcastle United (Premier League)

Watford have enjoyed plenty of success against Newcastle over the years, as compiled in our Five of the Best list.

The 2015/16 season saw three victories over the Magpies, the last of which was a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road.