On Thursday Manchester United (ranked fifth, 58 points) officially announced that former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will remain coach of the Red Devils beyond the end of the season. A piece of news that was worth a push-up message to all news services. The Norwegian signed a contract for three years. This makes Solksjaer the fourth permanent head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in the summer of 2013. The former professional player completed eleven seasons with the Red Devils and scored 126 goals in 366 games, including the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. Jahr is a true United legend and led the team directly to success following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho in December. In 19 competitive games under his leadership there were 14 victories (two draws, three bankruptcies).
Football Betting Prediction Manchester United vs Watford
“From day one I felt at home with this special club,” said Solskjaer at the signing ceremony. Now it is time to lead the Red Devils in the remaining eight games in the Champions League. Watford (ranked 8, 43 points) will travel to Old Trafford on Saturday. The Hornets count under coach Javi Garcia to one of the positive surprises this season. Manchester United are favorites against Watford according to odds of all their betting websites. We are also assuming a United win on Saturday. So between Manchester United and Watford is our prediction that Man United will win the first half and the game. It would be the perfect start for the Norwegian as a new, solid coach of the Red Devils. Man United lost for the first time in the Premier League under Solskjaer, but has not lost since August two matches in a row.
Manchester United – Statistics & Current Form
Ole’s wheel has been given a slight “eighth” in the recent two appearances in the league and cup, and does not spin as it did at the start. Although the fans are still singing “Ole’s at the wheel”, especially the end of the FA Cup before the international break in Wolverhampton was a big disappointment. The only realistic title opportunity was given negligently by a weak first half. In the battle for the Champions League places, the Red Devils also received a sensitive setback, as it was under Solskjaer in the Emirates Stadium at Arsenal the first Premier League defeat. Without a title, the season probably also end because Man United in the premier class in the quarterfinals first Barcelona in front of the chest and in case of a next match a duel with arch-rivals Liverpool would wait in the semifinals. Although the Sparrows have been whistling from the rooftops for a long time, Solskjaer would remain coach at Old Trafford even beyond the summer, but it was officially announced on Thursday. Managing Director Ed Woodward and the Glazer family had missed the perfect time for this announcement. This would have been after the quarter-finals in Paris. But the “board” did not want to wait any longer. Unthinkable, if United would miss the top four. Not only the press in England had asked questions, if the “Ole-Zauber” had flown away and a promotion of Solskjaer would have turned out to be difficult.
Although the top four were never a realistic topic on the day of Mourinho’s dismissal, with 11 points behind them, it would be a disappointment to miss the premier-class spots after the interim series of twelve unbeaten league games. Especially as it seems United had no plan B on the coaching question, at least since Zinedine Zidane hired again at Real Madrid. There could also land in the summer Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has put off his comments during the international break. He could imagine a change to the Royal, after all, Real would be his dream club. His brothers took the change theme even more aggressively and definitely consider a transfer in the summer. Until then, it is up to Pogba how the United season will continue.
At home on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford, Manchester United beat Watford by betting odds and predicting numerous bookmakers, as well as credible expert opinions, making it the big favorite for a win. Who bets on the record champion (1/1), sweeten his bet with odds of 2.20.
Best goalscorers in the Premier League:
↳ 12 goals: Romelu Lukaku
↳ 11 goals: Paul Pogba
↳ 9 goals: Marcus Rashford
Expected lineup of Manchester United:
↳ De Gea; Shaw, Lindelof, Smalling, Young; Pogba, Matic, Herrera; Lingard; Rashford, Martial
↳ Coach: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Last matches from Manchester United:
⚽ 16.03.2019 – Wolverhampton Vs. Manchester United 2: 1 (FA Cup)
⚽ 10.03.2019 – Arsenal Vs. Manchester United 2: 0 (Premier League)
⚽ 06.03.2019 – PSG Vs. Manchester United 1: 3 (Champions League)
⚽ 02.03.2019 – Manchester United Vs. Southampton 3: 2 (Premier League)
⚽ 27.02.2019 – Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United 1: 3 (Premier League)
Watford – Statistics & Current Form
Before the international break Watford celebrated the seventh FA Cup semi-final of the history. However, the Hornets made it into the final only in 1984 under the legendary coach Graham Taylor. This time around, the chances are not bad either, as the opponent is Wolverhampton this coming weekend. Top favorite Manchester City went Watford out of the way. The only goal in the Premier League is to remain “Best of the Rest”. Currently, the Hornets are a counter behind the Seventh Wolverhampton. Accordingly, the main focus is to win this season’s first title in club history. The chances of success before the guest appearance at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon are not really rosy. Watford has never won a league game in the “Theater of Dreams” and lost 16 of the 17 appearances in Manchester (against United and City). Only in April 1987 succeeded in the Citizens a 2: 1 success. For Manchester United against Watford, the odds for a tip on the Hornets promise a nice win, but the chances of success are very low.
Watford has been only four out of a possible 66 points against the established top six teams since the Premier League return in summer 2015 (1-1-20). The last 13 games of this kind have been lost. Only in December 2015 (2: 2 at Chelsea) and in January 2017 (2: 1 at Arsenal) was scored. Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu was directly involved in his last four Premier League matches in six goals (four goals, two assists). The Spaniard scored 41 per cent of the Premier League goals in the recent 21 games of the season (12 out of 29). Between Manchester United and Watford, our prediction is a guess on HT1 / FT1.
Best goalscorers in the Premier League:
↳ 8 goals: Troy Deeney
↳ 7 goals: Gerard Deulofeu
↳ 6 goals: Roberto Pereyra
Expected formation of Watford:
↳ Foster; Holebas, Cathcart, Kabasele, Jamaat; Hughes, Capoue, Doucoure, Pereyra; Deeney, Deulofeu
↳ Coach: Javi Garcia
Last Games by Watford:
⚽ 16.03.2019 – Watford Vs. Crystal Palace 2: 1 (FA Cup)
⚽ 09.03.2019 – Manchester City Vs. Watford 3: 1 (Premier League)
⚽ 03.03.2019 – Watford Vs. Leicester City 2: 1 (Premier League)
⚽ 27.02.2019 – Liverpool Vs. Watford 5: 0 (Premier League)
⚽ 22.02.2019 – Cardiff City vs. Watford 1: 5 (Premier League)
Manchester United vs. Watford Direct Comparison & Statistics Highlights
Head-to-Head: 21 Manchester United wins – 5 draws – 5 Watford wins (31 competitive games)
Manchester United have won ten of eleven Premier League matches against Watford. Only in September 2016 was there a defeat. Watford failed to win any of the eleven appearances at Old Trafford (0-2-9). The only victory at United dated October 1978 (2: 1 in the League Cup). In the Premier League history only Luton Town completed more league away games in the Red Devils without winning (15 games between 1955 and 1991).
Manchester United vs Watford Best Football Predictions Explained
In a bust on Saturday Manchester United would lose for the first time since September 2016 three competitive games in a row. Even then, there was a defeat to Watford, the only one so far in the Premier League era. However, between Manchester United and Watford, our prediction is a Red Devils victory, although United could play only two at home twice this season (only Fulham is worse, a zero game).
Key Facts – Manchester United vs Watford tips
↳ Manchester United never lost a league home game against Watford (9-2-0)
↳ Watford has picked only 4 out of 66 away points against the league’s top six teams since 2015 (1-1-20)
↳ Manchester United lost only one of 13 Premier League matches under Solskjaer (10-2-1)
However, the offensive power of the Red Devils is likely to be too great for the usually well-organized Hornets of Javi Garcia on Saturday, especially since it would not be to blame the players if their thoughts are already spinning for the upcoming weekend and the FA Cup semi-finals would. In the league it is at best for Watford for seventh place, which might qualify for the Europa League qualification. With the Red Devils, the appointment Solskjaer to stay beyond the summer coach, provide additional motivation. Accordingly, between Manchester United and Watford is our bet on odds that United leads at half time and wins the game.
Betting Prediction: 1/1
Odds: 2.20
