Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Newcastle United will win 2-0 against Watford when the two sides meet at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies come off the back of a 0-0 stalemate away at Southampton last weekend, and are yet to register a win in the Premier League.
However, the Liverpool legend believes that United’s luck will turn around in this fixture, and with the number of chances they have been getting – namely 27 shots in their last home game with Brighton – he thinks a couple of them are bound to go in.
“On paper, this is another Hornets victory but I just have a feeling that Newcastle’s luck at St James’ Park is going to turn,” he told BBC Sport.
“Watford pummelled Huddersfield last week, while Newcastle’s wait for their first Premier League win of the season went on after they drew 0-0 at Southampton.
“The Magpies managed 27 shots without scoring in their defeat by Brighton in their last home game and, if they keep creating that many chances, a couple of them are going to go in.”
OPINION
Even though Newcastle are yet to get a win this season, it is hard to see them getting a victory over a resurgent Watford side. The Hornets are hard to play at the best of times, and Newcastle’s home advantage is not likely to help them them here. With the likes of Troy Deeney in their attack, United will find it difficult to cope with the onslaught they will be getting on Saturday. Yes, it is about time that one of Newcastle’s many chances went in – but that will only work if players are able to get on the end of those chances. However, Watford have also endured a rather hard run recently, so it would not be surprising to see United get one over them – but at the moment, Newcastle’s luck does not seem to be turning no matter what they do. These are one of the easier fixtures that they have leading up to Christmas, and it is vital that they make the most of them.