West Ham United vs Watford: Preview & Prediction

After picking up three points from the first three fixtures, West Ham United look forward to a home clash in the new London Stadium against early strugglers Watford, who have had a tough start to the 2016-17 Premier League season.

Home advantage could prove the difference, both in good terms and bad as West Ham look to adapt to their new surroundings. However, most teams will be more motivated than ever to put on a good performance against the Hammers as their new stadium is the perfect stage to showcase their talents.

Manager Slaven Bilic made a couple of new additions in the recently closed transfer window, most notably experienced Spanish international Alvaro Arbeloa, who will no doubt look to tutor the young right-back Sam Byram.

Moreover, the signing of Simone Zaza should inject the much needed quality up front that West Ham have been looking for as goals have been hard to come by so far this season.

The Hornets will see Saturday’s fixture as an opportunity to get the ball rolling and return to the form that saw them shoot up the table last year.

There has been much change at Vicarage Road after the departure of Quique Sanchez Flores to Valencia, and it seems to be that new manager Walter Mazzarri is still adapting to his new environment and players.

Likewise, Watford took advantage of the transfer market providing much needed firepower up front in Italian forward Stefano Okaka from Anderlecht, alongside Chelsea hot prospect Kennedy and familiar face Adrian Mariappa on a free transfer.

Italy international forward, Zaza, could make his Hammers debut this afternoon – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Team News:

Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell and Sofiane Feghouli still remain sidelined with long-term injuries for the hosts, whilst defender Winston Reid is a minor doubt for the fixture having suffered a knock in the previous game against Manchester City.

Brice Dja Djédjé is still out with a serious injury, meanwhile fellow Watford defender Craig Cathcart is still a doubt to be selected on Saturday and will probably miss the clash.

League Positions: West Ham – 12th (3pts); Watford – 18th (1pt)
Last Meeting: West Ham 3-1 Watford – (April 20, 2016)
League Form: West Ham – LDWLL; Watford – DDLLL
Key Men: West Ham – Dimitri Payet; Watford – Troy Deeney
Shoot Says: West Ham 2-1 Watford