EPL Match Preview: xG, shots on target, predicted XIs and more from Watford vs Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford in the first Premier League match of the weekend after restart since the international break.

We look at the stats to predict the match.

Liverpool are certainly one of the strongest teams in the world right now and are one of the favourites to win the league this season. The Reds currently sit in second position in the table after Chelsea overtook them by one point after their draw against Manchester City last matchweek. They are still the only unbeaten team in the division and are yet to lose a Premier League match since March. However, they have failed to pick up three points after two consecutive draws in the last two gameweeks and Jurgen Klopp’s men will absolutely look at this match to get back to winning ways while extending their unbeaten streak in England.

The Reds have the best attack in the league and have scored 17 goals yet from an xG of 17.51 -being on par with their xG. They have been defensively very solid as well conceding only six goals, five of them coming in the last two matches. Scoring goals have not been a concern for Liverpool averaging 2 goals per match. They have scored in every match with Mohamed Salah being the joint top scorer in the league, who is going to be the biggest threat for Watford.

With manager Xisco Munez already sacked and Claudio Ranieri all set to replace him as the new manager, it says enough about Watford’ season after getting promoted back to the league. The Hornets find themselves in 15th position with just seven points in seven matches. They started off the campaign in great fashion with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, but since then have won only one more match against Norwich City who are at the bottom of the league. Watford have lost three of their last five matches, a huge challenge of facing Liverpool does not actually help that on paper. It is going to be Ranieri’s first match and Liverpool seems too big of a challenge.

The Hornets have only scored seven goals so far from an xG of 6.10, the second-lowest in the league. Ismaila Sarr has been their most threatening player with most goals and they have over-relied on him in terms of goal scoring which shows. Conceding 10 goals in return has not helped their cause as well.

Liverpool have tested the opposition goalkeeper the maximum number of times with the most number of shots on target(50) in the league. If Watford’s already shaky defence cannot stop the Liverpool attackers, the Reds are going to create all sorts of problems for the hosts.

Watford have only had 23 shots on target, on the lower side of the league average. They actually might be sure of the fact that they will not be able to see a lot of the ball throughout the match and in the absence of Alisson in goal, should try to hit Liverpool on the break and make the most of their chances. If they fail to be clinical, it would definitely be an immensely difficult task.

The Reds, on the other hand lost 0-3 last time they paid a visit to this ground and in absence of Fabinho in midfield have to be extra cautious to stop the Hornets’ pacey wingers and their counters, where they have looked a bit vulnerable.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will be back for the clash while Alisson and Fabinho miss out due to quarantine issues. Thiago remains doubtful still due to his muscle injury.

Claudio Ranieri will be without Fransisco Sierralta and Josh King while Christian Kabasele remains doubtful.

We predict a 3-1 victory for Liverpool.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool(4-3-3): Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Jones, Mane, Jota, Salah.

Watford(4-2-3-1): Foster, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Rose, Sissoko, Kucka, Sema, Tufan, Sarr, Dennis.