WEEK 6 of the Premier League draws to a close with Burnley hosting Watford on Monday night. Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) shares his view.
Burnley v Watford | Monday 20:00 | Sky Sports 1
It's hardly the most intriguing of Monday night fixtures but Burnley's home match with Watford provides a real puzzle to solve and some backstory.
Sean Dyche used to manage Watford earlier in the decade before the Pozzo family removed him from the post as their revolution kicked off. Dyche says he has no animosity towards the club and there's nothing to suggest that isn't the case.
Burnley come into this game down in 17th place in the table. Their 2-0 win over Liverpool last month looks more and more like a freak result and the Lancashire club have been on the end of two 3-0 batterings by Chelsea and Leicester since that famous win.
With just three goals to their name they sit bottom of the scoring charts in the division too and the absence of Andre Gray on Monday due to social media misdemeanours makes their task all the more harder.
The onus is on the Clarets though. This is a home fixture against a (likely) bottom half side and if they have any aspirations of staying up they need to be making statements in these kind of games.
Let's not forget they sacrificed two points earlier in the month to Hull. Robert Snodgrass' last minute free kick may cost them dear late in the season so there simply has to be an urge here in this fixture.
It's hard to pick holes in what Watford have achieved so far this season and a win here will push them into the Top 8. They played well in both their defeats (to Chelsea and Arsenal) and proved too strong for Manchester United and West Ham in goal-laden clashes.
There seems a confidence about the Hertfordshire club that looks missing from Burnley. While Dyche's side folded against Chelsea and Leicester, Watford got in the faces of Manchester United and scored against Arsenal and Chelsea.
I'm siding with goals on Monday. All five of Watford's Premier League games have seen both teams to score this season and I think Watford can maintain their side of the bargain here.
With regard to Burnley, they really need to show some impetus in this fixture. Another cautious, meek display will quietly suck them into another inevitable relegation struggle. I'm expecting a forthright display here.
The bet that stands out for me is Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals at a fairly decent 13/10 with Marathonbet. At face value the Monday night fare doesn't look too exciting but take a deeper look and we might just be surprised.
Best Bets
Burnley v Watford – Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals (13/10 Marathonbet)
