In Focus: Watford Chances Of Survival In The Premier League

Watford were relegated from the top flight in the 2019/20 Premier League season. However, a second-placed finish in the Championship in 2020/21 ensured they would be returning to the Premier League.

Watford will be looking to at least escape relegation this time around but what do the Hornets need to do to stay up?

Consider a change of management if the need arises

Watford hired Spaniard Xisco Munoz as their new head coach. Xisco’s previous appointment was with Georgian team, Dinamo Tbilisi.

He was able to achieve promotion with Watford despite joining them mid-season. However, if he is unable to deliver for the Hornets, then the club’s hierarchy should not hesitate to relieve him of his duties and find someone that can help them stay up.

Be more aggressive in front of goal

The last time the Hornets were in the Premier League, they scored only 36 goals in 39 matches and had a goal per match ratio of 0.92. They also had a 29% shooting accuracy, this certainly explained why they had difficulty scoring goals.

Their attack has however significantly improved since then and now that they are back up, they have to ensure they keep it up. Watford scored 63 goals in the Championship last season, the sixth most in the division.

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Maintain their good defensive record

With only nine clean sheets in 39 games, little wonder the Hornets were relegated the last time they were in the Premier League. In their last game of the 2019/20 season, they conceded three goals from Arsenal before scoring two and they needed a point to stay up.

However, since then, Watford have made their defence their strength, conceding the fewest number of goals in the Championship last season (30). They will need to keep it up if they hope to stay up.

Watford will face Aston Villa, Brighton, Tottenham, Wolves, Norwich and Newcastle in their first six games of the campaign. They will have to be at their very best if they are to start the season on a high.

What are your expectations from Watford in the new season? Let us know in the comment section.

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