It's back to the Premier League next weekend so it's time to post a Manchester United vs Watford prediction and some betting tips as things heat up in the race for a top 4 finish and Champions League qualification for next season.

Within this article, you'll find a recent form guide for Manchester United and Watford, pre-match analysis of squad injuries and strategies, alongside a match prediction and betting tips.

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Form Guide

Manchester United

Following an incredible start to Solskjær's career as Manchester United manager, the team has started to stutter just a little bit in recent weeks. Nevertheless, they remain well within the fight for a top 4 finish and are currently sat in 5th place in the Premier League table on 58 points, 2 points being 4th placed Arsenal and just 1 point clear of 6th placed Chelsea. In their previous 5 games, Manchester United won 3, lost 1, and drew 1.

Manchester United were struggling statistically earlier in the season and, at one point, they were conceding more goals than they were scoring on average. Since Solskjær took over, the team has been improving in these areas and they've now scored 58 times, an average of 1.87 goals per game. Defensively, they've conceded 40 times, an average of 1.29 goals per game.

Watford

Watford are going through a bumpy patch of form at the moment but have had a great season and currently find themselves in 8th position in the Premier League table on 43 points, just 1 point behind 7th placed Wolves. In their previous 5 games, Watford won 3 and lost 2.

Statistically, Watford have been pretty well balanced in attack and defence this season but, surprisingly, they have actually been conceding more goals than they have been scoring. They've scored 42 times in the Premier League, an average of 1.40 goals per game. Defensively, they've conceded 44 times, an average of 1.47 goals per game.

Head to Head

In the previous 10 meetings between the clubs, Manchester United won 9 and Watford won 1. Since 1987, the two clubs have played against each other 16 times, with Manchester United winning 15, and Watford winning just 1.

Pre-Match Analysis

Manchester United

Following their loss to Arsenal in the previous round of Premier League fixtures, Manchester United will be feeling the pressure of the race for a top 4 finish. They still have a great chance of getting there, but there isn't much room for error from this point forward. After the great comeback against PSG in the Champions League, it's important that Solskjær manages to contain expectations and ensures that the players know just how vital it is for them to qualify for the competition next season. This is especially the case after they were dealt a very tough draw against Barcenlona in the next round of the competition.

Strategically, Manchester United need to pick up where they left off following the great run of form they've had over the last couple of the months. The players will be expected to dominate the ball at Old Trafford and will be looking to play attacking football against this Watford side that concedes more than it scores. Nevertheless, Watford have had a good season and could cause Manchester United problems if they don't manage to find some control in the midfield battle. Pogba's performance, as always, could be the difference maker in this fixture and, if he's at his best, could make things comfortable for Manchester United.

Watford

Watford supporters will be over the moon at how well their club has done this season and it's fair to say that they don't have much else to prove. It is incredibly unlikely that they will be able to make up the points gap to finish in a European qualification place so there is a worry that the players may already be on holiday in their minds. This does seem unlikely with how they've gone about their work this season, however, and they have a great chance of finishing in 7th place ahead of Wolves if they can put together a decent run of form throughout the remaining games of this season.

Strategically, Watford need to play on the fact that Manchester United are no longer seen as invincible under Solskjær following their loss to Arsenal in the previous round of fixtures. If Watford can manage to get the first goal in the game then things could become interesting but they do need to be wary of how well Manchester United have performed in attacking phases over the last few months. Perhaps Watford's biggest chance to really influence the outcome of the game is to keep Pogba quiet. If they can do this then they can massively nullify the attacking threat that Manchester United possess. It's a job easier said than done, of course, and if they're going to press Pogba then they need to be careful not to get caught out at the back should he manage to make his way past the Watford players.

Prediction

Watford have had a wonderful season but Manchester United have more on the line here and I believe that they have the quality to get the job done at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, this is unlikely to be an easy game for Manchester United and any kind of complacency could be punished.

Prediction: Manchester United win.

Betting Tips

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