Thought I'd start early.

6pm: Watford v Man City (Sky One / Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Ultra HD / Pick)
8.15pm: Aston Villa v Arsenal (Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Ultra HD)

Watford's GD is -23
Villa's GD is -27

Villa have scored 5 more goals than Watford, if GD were to finish equal.

It could be an interesting later game if City win by a few goals. A 3-0 City win would put Watford on -26, with Villa needing any win to escape the drop.

Up to Arsenal to decide who they'd rather go down.

Bit of a no lose situation either Villa and their cry arses or Deeney will be relegated.

Sit back and enjoy

I'd rather Villa go to be honest. I think Watfords days are numbered, if not this season then next, but Villa could potentially be much better next season with a new manager, and I think they've got **** loads of money.

Would also prefer Villa to drop.

I think Villa could improve if they stay up next season, whereas Watford don't seem to know what day it is.

However if Watford drop, they thoroughly deserve it with all the manager swapping and changing.

Very close, but I think Watford will escape by the skin of their teeth and Bournemouth and Villa will go.

Popcorns at the ready

Hoping its Whatfor just because of the ridiculous sacking culture they have for managers (even though I hate Pearson with a passion) is not likely to endear them to a good manager.

I'd prefer Villa to go, either Bournemouth or Watford will be down at the bottom next season if they survive.

Villa i could see making a better fist of it next season, so for our sake it's best they drop now, and they're also a probable destination for Sean if they stay up.

Villa to beat Arse and keep them below us!
But get relegated!

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:23 am

Villa to beat Arse and keep them below us!
But get relegated!

Arsenal can't be relegated...this season!



UTC

we start with Villa and sort Arse next season then! A marker!

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:23 am

Villa to beat Arse and keep them below us!
But get relegated!

That's just plain greedy.

But I'll second it.

Don’t forget we need a Watford goal as well

So Watford to lose to Man City... 3-1, to make the later game more meaningful and take away City's cleansheet.
This puts Watford's GD on -25.
Villa to beat Arsenal 1-0 to keep Arsenal below us, but puts Villa's GD on -26 and so sends them down by 1 goal.

Does that cover everything?

The only thing I care about tonight is Watford scoring.

Relegation battles are for the inconsequential, also-ran, losers, major clubs like BFC are only interested in what happens in the top half of the table and the prizes for success; so we want a Villa win and a goal at least for Watford, beyond that it's not our concern. Whichever doesn't go down this season will instead join Leeds in providing 6-points towards our march to the Champions League next year - some would've said EPL Champions, but I'm a realist.

martin_p wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 2:14 pm

The only thing I care about tonight is Watford scoring.

Yes, as that guarantees Nick Pope at least a share of the award.

If Villa and Watford end up level on points and Villa have a better GD (which is very possible if Man City play anything like v Watford) it will be courtesy of Michael Oliver's faulty watch in the first game back after lockdown that Villa stay up. By rights they should have got "nil points" against Sheff Utd who scored a perfectly good goal - but the bloody technology didn't work. I do hope Watford get "something" against Man City - most importantly a goal if nothing else just to guarantee Nick Pope at least a share of the golden glove.

whitnash claret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 2:59 pm

... it will be courtesy of Michael Oliver's faulty watch in the first game back after lockdown that Villa stay up. By rights they should have got "nil points" against Sheff Utd who scored a perfectly good goal - but the bloody technology didn't work.

It was foreseeable even when that happened that it might affect the battle at the bottom, and so it seems to be taking shape.

And SU would have two more points...

Arsenal seem to have hit a bit of form just when it’s needed.

@OptaJoe: Sterling has been involved in nine goals in his last five games against Watford in all competitions (7 goals, 2 assists), including six in his last two (5 goals, 1 assist).

Under Nigel Pearson, Watford had won six of their 10 Premier League home games (D2 L2), only failing to score once at Vicarage Road.

Only themselves to blame if they go down.

Strong City side, De Bruyne, foden, Jesus & Sterling all start, Welbeck dropped to the Bench for Watford.

The weekend result was the worst possible outcome for Watford, they'll be facing a City team determined to erase that Arsenal defeat.

I'd guess Watford would be happy with a draw but it's difficult to see them getting that. They've been letting in a couple of goals per game lately so you'd think City would get a couple at least with the team they have out & wanting to make up for the poor semi-final result.
The lowest odds scoreline with my bookie is 2-0 to City & I fancy that.

I think Villa have a better chance of picking something up - though Arteta has definitely got Arsenal performing better lately. I fancy 2-1 to Arsenal for this.

An interesting couple of games tonight before the Championship conclusion drama tomorrow.

Good chance for Hughes. He screws it wide.

Wold love to see Watford to score ,just so Nick can win the golden glove.

I just want a goal.

City 1-0 up.

Sterling obliges, what a finish, no keeper's saving that.

Watford need a few free kicks up the pitch, I can see Dawson causing City problems

Will that goal encourage Watford to come out more and look for the goal that we want them to score, or will the entire match be a "damage limitation" exercise in which they aim to restrict City to as few chances / goals as possible?
It's a pretty risky strategy pushing men forward against City and potentially losing shape and leaving gaps on the break.

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:36 pm

Will that goal encourage Watford to come out more and look for the goal that we want them to score, or will the entire match be a "damage limitation" exercise in which they aim to restrict City to as few chances / goals as possible?
It's a pretty risky strategy pushing men forward against City and potentially losing shape and leaving gaps on the break.

I don't think it will. I think they'll take a defeat, just not a heavy one.

Foster unlucky. 2-0 City, Sterling penalty.

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:36 pm

I don't think it will. I think they'll take a defeat, just not a heavy one.

That's my thinking too. I think they'd settle for a 0-2, ...... but it's a penalty now...... scored - already 0-2.

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:36 pm

I don't think it will. I think they'll take a defeat, just not a heavy one.

Could be a heavy one though now!

Come on Watford, let's have a consolation goal.

Watford's GD is -25
Villa's GD is -27

Villa have to go for the win against Arsenal, surely.

this will finish 4 or 5 if City can be arsed, Watford wont score unless someone lobs Ederson from 70yds !

Dawson causing problems from the FK, that's their best hope of nicking a goal, it's an area City are dodgy at.

Foden impressing again, and Sterling helping himself to a double, could be a long 2nd half for Watford.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:46 pm

this will finish 4 or 5 if City can be arsed, Watford wont score unless someone lobs Ederson from 70yds !

Well! Che Adams did it from 40, so you never know. City are on it tonight, as i expected after Saturday's disappointment, they don't often lose 2 on the bounce.

A couple more goals for City and a defeat for Villa, and it gives Bournemouth more than an outside chance of staying up.
They've got Everton to finish the season

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:54 pm

A couple more goals for City and a defeat for Villa, and it gives Bournemouth more than an outside chance of staying up.
They've got Everton to finish the season

That would be one hell of an escape if Watford and Villa go down and it's Bournemouth that stay up.

Surely not?

Watford could let another in tonight and lose to a couple at Gooners.
Meaning AV could lose close tonight and still escape with a win at Hammers who won’t be arsed. They can’t be arsed when it matters.

Villa are THE original claret and blue team and thus deserving of our support.
Come on you Villains!

chekhov wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:04 pm

Villa are THE original claret and blue team and thus deserving of our support.
Come on you Villains!

Sod that. They can go, for me.

The Hammers looked pretty arsed vs Watford, Chelsea and Burnley for that matter, they just ran into that brick wall that is Nick Pope.

how on earth was that NOT a penalty ?

chekhov wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:04 pm

Villa are THE original claret and blue team and thus deserving of our support.
Come on you Villains!

as someone mentioned, if they stay up it'll be because VAR didn't work against Sheff United

Deeney looks like an over weight sunday league player on this performance

Watford need to get Andre on.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:11 pm

as someone mentioned, if they stay up it'll be because VAR didn't work against Sheff United

If, buts, and maybes. Whatever I’ll be praying for the Villa tonight!