please log in to view this image WATFORD v NEWCASTLE UTD. please log in to view this image Venue Vicarage Road Stadium 29th December 2018 Kick Off 1500 GMY please log in to view this image Watford have an excellent record against Newcastle at Vicarage Road after managing three wins in consecutive meetings on this ground. The Hornets will look to make the most of a home match as they will be on the road for the next three games. Newcastle are fresh from a humbling against Liverpool, although many teams do tend to suffer against the Reds. The form of Roberto Pereyra has once again picked up after a slump in November. The winger has now come up with an assist and a goal in his last two matches. This improvement in form has also coincided with Watford scoring almost 2 goals per match in the last five games. Newcastle United remain poor going forward and it has been a problematic area for Rafa Benitez throughout the campaign. If Newcastle are to make significant strides to move away from the relegation zone, they need to be averaging well over a goal per match. At this moment, the Magpies have managed a paltry return of 14 goals from 19 matches. A decent defensive record had provided solace up until this point, but the heavy loss against Liverpool has the potential to take away the confidence from the team. Watford Team News Adalberto Penaranda (foot), Will Hughes (hip), Andre Gray (leg), Christian Kabasele (arm), and Pontus Dahlberg (head) are unavailable for Watford. Newcastle Team News Jonjo Shelvey (thigh), Karl Darlow (elbow), Ciaran Clark (ankle), and Sung-Yueng Ki (international) are unavailable for Rafa Benitez. Referee Roger East (Wiltshire) please log in to view this image Has dished out 42 yellow cards in 12 games but is yet to issue a red card. WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD - ENJOY THE GAME et Bonne Année for 2019
Be a different game to Wednesday. We will be expected to be the team on the front foot attacking like against Cardiff - difference is Newcastle can be pretty tight at the back so like against the Bluebirds need to score early. Presume Kabasele will be out - any other changes?
Thanks OFH. Can’t make it due to pesky in-laws Christmas visit . Will try and sneak off for the 3CR commentary...
The availability of Will Hughes and Adalberto Peñaranda has offset the news that Christian Kabasele will miss the game against Newcastle United with the impact injury he sustained on Boxing Day. Hughes has been missing since he limped off against Manchester City with a hip problem while Peñaranda's long-awaited introduction to English football has been held up by a foot issue. But both players are in full training and in contention to be part of Gracia's 18-man squad against the Magpies. “Both are ready,” said Gracia when asked if they were in the right physical condition to be considered. “Maybe Will has trained with the team more times. He doesn't need to train a lot to be ready. Peñaranda needs more time because he had to stop for longer.” Gracia will definitely be without Kabasele. The centre-back did not sustain any broken bones following the heavy collision with the post in the first-half against Chelsea, but the left-hand side of his upper body remains very sore and he will be given the weekend off to recover. “He's not training with the team,” said Gracia. “After the game he didn't feel very well. He is feeling some pain, but he will be ready soon. I can't tell you when he'll be ready as he has some pain in the shoulder, arm and back.” The absence of Kabasele means Adrian Mariappa is almost certain to start alongside Craig Cathcart, but the Head Coach has to decide who will provide centre-half cover on the bench as Sebastian Prödl is injured. “We have other centre-backs injured and it will be a good chance for someone,” said Gracia. “Britos is ready. He is training with the team for a long time and I think he is ready.” Ben Wilmot also comes into contention, particularly after catching the eye in the middle of the defence against Reading. The Head Coach is a big fan of the 19-year-old signed from Stevenage. “I think he plays better as a midfielder,” said Gracia. “We know he can play as centre-back very well, like he did in the Carabao Cup. He is a good young player.” Cathcart is at the opposite end of his career – he turns 30 in February – but he is approaching his peak years as a defender and is in a rich vein of form right now. “You see the minutes the players have played, I think he is the player with the most minutes,” said Gracia. “He is always important. Now we have different problems with Prödl, with Kabasele, so we don't have a lot of options. But you know Craig he is always ready and for his national team as well.”
Cheers OFH for all the above posts. I'm surprised the Toons remain so negative. The whole club from owner, manager and fans seem determined to anticipate relegation. And how that is meant to help the players I have no idea. At the end of the day all you have to do is get more points than the worst three teams. At half way they have 5 points already in hand! But all their negativity must be good for us. I think if we score early this will be a great end of year celebration for us all. 4-0. Enjoy it one and all.
Will miss the game today... Big family Xmas do chez nous.. But COYH! Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk
I hope he hasn’t messed around with this line-up too much. Janmaat out for ages and comes back again his old side, Deeney out, Doucoure out for the first time since whenever etc...
The suggestion is that Newcastle will try to shore up their defence today after they were hammered by Liverpool. This probably why Javi suggests we will have to be patient.
This one is working for me. http://firstrowsportes.net/soccer/watford-newcastle-united-krk69bca9?l=1515066679
Good afternoon all, what a football fest we are having over Christmas thanks to all those who provide streams to us. Interesting team, not surprised some are being rested and I hope that is the reason for TD's omission. I have a potential stream and will post the link if and when it starts. Enjoy the game all.
