Premier League side fighting tooth and nail to avoid the dreaded drop
The Premier League relegation race is one which the “winner”, second and third want to avoid like the proverbial plague. Yet it is underway, firmly, with basement boys Watford currently leading the way, and with no signs of them avoiding the dreaded drop. They are rock-bottom of the top-flight table having won only one game all campaign — and the result of their woeful form is the fact that they have only nine points accrued from 16 outings. Next up for the Hornets is a daunting trip to league leaders Liverpool on Saturday!
Can new boss Nigel Pearson, who is Watford’s third manager this term — before him came Quique Sanchez Flores, who was axed last week, and Javi Gracia — turn things around? Check out your ultimate bookmaker betting offer at thebookiesoffers.co.uk. Whether it’s betting offers or online bookmakers, you will never had more options to choose from. The Bookies Offers presents you with the best betting offers, promotions, welcome bonuses and enhanced odds available, as well as the latest betting tips.
Pearson knows that he has a tough task ahead of him if he is to manage to save the Vicarage Road outfit from plunging out of the prestigious Premier League and enter the Championship. Financially it will hit the club hard but one saving grace if they do go down is that they will do so with their coffers boosted with a hefty parachute payment — and that gives them enough money to go again in the transfer market next summer to recruit decent players who might help them to promotion at the first time of asking.
Speaking with an eye on the trip to Anfield on Saturday, Pearson, the former manager of Leicester City, said that he has heard people talking about sides that are possibly too good to be in a relegation dogfight but that Watford “are where we are because we’ve not been able to produce the types of performances that have earned us enough points so far. So, my job is to try and rectify that or help the players to get a level of organisation and belief back into them that we are capable of competing”.
Norwich City, newly promoted from the Championship last season, are second from bottom (with current odds of 1/5 at Bet365) and are two points better off than the Hornets (also 1/5 at Bet365) with both having played 16 times. Southampton, who have rallied somewhat since they were hammered 9-0 by Leicester City at St Mary’s, are third from bottom with 15 points (and somewhat better odds of 15/8) and Aston Villa are only one place ahead of the Saints (7/4 at Bet365) because of goal difference.
Above them and in the relegation mix are West Ham and Bournemouth hovering dangerously close to the drop zone, too. Bookies are also suggesting plausible odds of them dropping to the Championship league 7/2 and 11/2, respectively. The Cherries are perhaps most concerned about their plight given that they have been defeated in their past five outings meaning confidence is at a low point — boss Eddie Howe knows he must try to work his magic soon if his team are to avoid being sucked in to the dreaded demotion positions.