Premier League preview and odds: AFC Bournemouth vs Watford

Published on: 19/01/2017

Premier League preview and odds: AFC Bournemouth vs Watford

January 21, 2016 15:00pm - Vitality Stadium

Referee: Lee Mason

Premier League

Established mid-table dwellers AFC Bournemouth could rise into the Premier League`s top 10 with a home win over 14th-ranked Watford. The visitors themselves could leapfrog their opponents with victory at the Vitality Stadium.

Just two defeats in last nine at home for Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth may have won just one of their last five Premier League matches but they remain well-positioned to challenge for a top 10 finish. The Cherries will be hoping that their strong home form continues when they face one of their mid-table rivals this weekend.

Last time out, Eddie Howe`s men fell 3-1 away to a resurgent Hull City side and will be looking to erase the memory of that game when they return to home soil on Saturday. However, in their last fixture at the Vitality stadium, they threw away a three goal lead against Arsenal, in a game that ended 3-3.

Meanwhile, visitors Watford will be hoping to break a six-game winless streak when they make the journey to the South Coast this weekend. Walter Mazzarri`s men have lost their last five away games and failed to score in any of their last three. As a result, they have slipped to 14th in the table - although they remain seven points clear of the drop zone.

The Hornets began the season by losing just one of their first five away games and will hoping to regain some of that form heading into the final stages of the season. They currently have the worst form of any team in the league, based on points amassed over the last eight games.

Team news

The home side will be without the suspended Simon Francis, while Max Gradel is away on African Cup of Nations duty.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to cope without the injured group of Heurelho Gomes (back), Nordin Amrabat (ankle), Roberto Pereyra (muscle) and Adrian Mariappa (knee), while Adlene Guedioura is representing Algeria at the African Cup of Nations. However, Isaac Success and Daryl Janmaat could both return, subject to late fitness tests.

Recent form (League):

AFC Bournemouth: LDWLL

Watford: DLLDL

Betting odds and tips

The home side have conceded 11 goals in their last five home games and 12 in their last five matches away from home. This will give encouragement to a Watford team that has struggled in front of goal in recent weeks.

These two side have drawn five of their last six meetings and that result looks like the best option again this weekend.

You can back the Draws at a price of 5/2 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 19/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (19/01/2017 15:32:42) but are subject to change.