WILL Arsenal's amazing FA Cup run continue on Sunday when they meet Watford? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) takes a look at the odds.
Arsenal v Watford | Sunday 13:30 | BT Sport 2
Arsenal played like an angry, pissed off side on Tuesday night as they crushed Hull 4-0 in the Fifth Round of this competition. Can they maintain that mood here against Watford?
The Gunners come into this game in an angsty frame of mind. It's all good and well beating a Championship side 4-0 but when your much-coveted title bid falls apart then the garden is certainly not rosy.
Eight points behind Leicester with just nine games left, that deficit might inspire them on Sunday to push harder in the FA Cup and to use the competition to deflect their shortcomings in the league.
It's over three years since they lost in the tournament and this year they've beaten Sunderland, Burnley and Hull after a replay. This should be their biggest test yet.
There's been lots to like about Watford this season but it's fair to say their form has hit a trough since the heady days of Christmas when they were mingling just outside the Top 4.
Now in 14th position in the table, they've won just two of their 12 league games since Christmas Day and those were against Newcastle and Crystal Palace, two sides in equally poor form this year.
Despite continuing not to garner much from proceedings in the last few weeks their performance levels have been decent. A draw at Stamford Bridge, a one goal loss to Tottenham and an excellent display against Manchester United have all been recent and offer hope here.
Their FA Cup draws have been fairly kind with one goal wins coming against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Leeds. In fact Watford have yet to concede a goal in the competition this season.
Lack of goals has been a theme in Watford games recently and amazingly seven of their last eight matches have gone Under 2.5 Goals. It's surprising to see it priced up at odds against here.
Arsenal's stats at the Emirates tend to support that bet too. Three of their last five home matches hit the Under 2.5 line and they've failed to score in four of their last seven games in Islington.
Watford should be really up for this and I can see this being a tight encounter. Rather than going Watford +1 on the Asians I'll take Under 2.5 Goals.
Best Bets
Arsenal v Watford – Under 2.5 Goals (5/4 Betfair Sportsbook)
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