These two sides have new managers this season, both of whom are former coaches of Inter Milan. There, however, is where the comparisons end with United likely to be fighting it out for the title under Jose Mourinho whilst Watford, under Walter Mazzarri, are likely to be in a relegation battle.
The Hornets may not have made the best start to the season with just one win. However, that win last week against West Ham after being 2-0 down will be a huge confidence boost to Mazzarri’s side. A positive for them is that they have scored in every match so far this season so, given they are sitting in 10th, goals are obviously the problem.
Odion Ighalo had lost his way in the last few months – perhaps the result of speculation – but managed to score Watford’s opener against West Ham last weekend whilst his strike partner Troy Deeney also managed to grab a goal against the Hammers.
Etienne Capoue has also found his goal-scoring touch and the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is current fourth in the Premier League scoring charts.
However, to ensure survival in the Premier League, defence really has to be the foundation and there is little sign of Watford turning around their woeful defensive record any time soon.
United have suffered two defeats on the bounce, but, we must remember the context of those losses. Firstly the Manchester derby defeat where City looked imperious – although United should still have done better. The other one was their Europa League defeat to Feyenoord in midweek (which I called!). Mourinho changed his squad for that match in Rotterdam and we can expect a return to norm this week.
The Red Devils tend to beat these more ‘average’ sides, such as Hull City and Southampton, to nil but I am not sure they will manage to achieve this at Vicarage Road given Watford’s firepower.
I think the most logical bet is to back Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score anytime at 6/5. He is currently United’s top scorer with four and has scored in every Premier League match bar one this season – a record he is likely to continue against this dodgy Watford back-line.
See more tips here.