Newcastle United vs Watford Match Preview.
A trip to St James Park a few seasons back would surely have been a daunting prospect for any newly promoted side.
But Watford will be relishing their trip to Newcastle United, as they look to build on their morale boosting 1-0 win over Swansea and capitalise on the host's poor start to the season, which sees the Magpies sit bottom of the Premier League.
The Hornets victory over Swansea last weekend was a perfect result and it was equally matched by a perfect performance from the Golden Boys. Quique Sanchez Flores' men thoroughly deserved the three points, as they nullified the attacking threat that the Swans provide, whilst also causing Garry Monk's side a number of problems.
On the other hand, Steve McClaren's Newcastle United couldn't have endured a tougher start to the season, as they lie bottom of the table with only two points to their name.
You have to look back to the 2009/10 season to view the last time that the two sides last faced each other.
Newcastle United did the double over the Hornets that season in the Championship, as they ran out 2-0 winners at St James Park and then beat the Hornets 2-1 in the return fixture at Vicarage Road.
The Magpies are managed by Steve McClaren, who was handed the reigns after he left Derby County at the end of last season. Despite spending big this summer with the captures of Georginio Wijnaldum, Chancel Mbemba, Florian Thauvin and Aleksander Mitrovic, Newcastle have endured a tough start to the season, with two wins and three defeats from their first five games.
The key player for the Magpies will be winger Moussa Sissoko. The Frenchman signed for Newcastle from Toulouse in January 2013 and he has proved himself to be a crucial member of the first team line-up since moving to the North East. Sissoko notched five goals in 38 appearances for Newcastle last season and he scored the Magpies first goal in their 2-0 win over West Ham on the final day of last season, to secure their Premier League status for another season.
Steve McClaren's men are certainly there for the taking. However, today's game will surely be another tough test for the Golden Boys, who will need to replicate the performance that they put in last week against Swansea, if they wish to bring back those all important three points back to Hertfordshire.
Team News.
Newcastle United could be without up to seven players. Aleksander Mitrovic is suspended, whilst Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett, Emmanuel Riviere and Sylvain Marveaux are all out. Cheik Tiote and Mike Williamson are both doubts.
For Watford, Valon Behrami and Miguel Britos are both suspended. Joel Ekstrand is a long term absentee.
Predicted Teams
Newcastle United - Krul (GK), Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini ©, Haidara, De Jong, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Thauvin, Cisse.
Watford - Gomes (GK), Nyom, Cathcart, Prodl, Anya; Capoue, Watson; Jurado, Deeney ©, Abdi; Ighalo.
Referee - Roger East.