Watford vs. Arsenal Predictions: Gunners to get the win at Vicarage Road

Roy Hodgson’s Watford welcome The Gunners to Vicarage Road on Sunday, as the hosts continue to scrap their way towards the slim chance of survival currently at arm's length. @SamIngram_ 

The former-Crystal Palace gaffer has certainly improved The Hornets as a defensive unit. The results accompanying his arrival have also improved, but this in-form Arsenal side may prove to be a bit more than they can chew.

Mikel Arteta has got his young squad brimming with confidence. Looking at the Premier League’s ten-game form table, only Manchester City and Liverpool, the two jostling at the very top, outshine Arteta’s men.

Bar the emphatic victory over Manchester United in front of the Watford faithful, The Hornets have lost at home to each team in the top half of the Premier League this season. It’s a damning statistic and one the away side should be able to take advantage of, despite the improvement in front of the new face in the dugout. These are the type of fixtures Arsenal simply have to win to keep the push for the top four alive.

By the time kick-off comes on Sunday, fifth-placed West Ham will have played four more games than Arsenal, with Manchester United in fourth having played three more. The hunt for Champions League football is firmly in Arsenal’s hands.The North London outfit are fresh off the back of a dramatic winner against Wolves and I can only see another three points heading back to The Emirates. Arsenal to win and Over 1.5 goals in the match is a selection which has landed in 8/13 for visiting sides at Vicarage Road.

In Arsenal's last ten fixtures they have recorded 20.20 xG, whilst being stingy at the other end; 8.10 xGA. If The Gunners can continue in a similar vein, outscoring this Watford side will be routine.

Arsenal youngster and England international Emile Smith Rowe is one of several playing with the shackles off. Vicarage Road may provide the setting for him to become the first Arsenal player under 22-years-old to reach a double-figure goal tally in 24 years. The last Arsenal man to be as clinical in red and white at such a young age? Nicolas Anelka.

If looking for a longer priced play against a struggling Watford side, Emile Smith Rowe to get on the scoresheet and Arsenal to win comes in at 4.33 on bet365. The 21-year-old has a scoring frequency of one goal every 153 minutes, from a 1.4 shots per90 average.

Utilising bet365's bet builder for the main play will also include Early Payout, resulting in premature returns if Arsenal happen to go 2-0 to the good at any point during the match.