Last Place Watford Shortens from +600 to +220 Odds for Premier League Relegation
- Former boss Sanchez Flores has returned to bottom-placed Hornets
- Javi Gracia sacked after four EPL games and one point
- Impressive comeback at home in first game since change-over against Arsenal
Watford have gone ‘Back To The Future’ by re-appointing their former coach Quique Sanchez Flores in the hope he can lift them from bottom place in the English Premier League.
But the poor start which cost the job of Flores’ predecessor Javi Gracia means that the Hornets’ EPL relegation odds have shortened to +220 from +600 on August 2 – a week before the EPL season commenced.
After an impressive start to his second reign in a 2-2 draw at home against Arsenal last weekend, the popular Spaniard Flores’ team are away at reigning champions Manchester City on Saturday, September 21, at Etihad Stadium at 10:00 am EST.
EPL 2019-20 Relegation Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sheffield United | -110 |
| Newcastle United | +120 |
| Aston Villa | +175 |
| Norwich City | +200 |
| Watford | +220 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | +225 |
| Burnley | +250 |
| Bournemouth | +400 |
| Crystal Palace | +400 |
| Southampton | +650 |
*Odds taken at 2019/09/17.
Flores has said that he plans to improve the team’s defense and to re-invigorate their spirit in the attempt to avoid the drop.
They certainly showed the second of those qualities as they came back from 2-0 against Arsenal last Sunday to claim only their second point of the campaign.
Experience and Charisma
Flores was previously in command for one season when Watford returned to the top flight in 2015-16. They finished 13th and reached the semifinal of the FA Cup – and his knowledge, experience, and charisma will keep them up this season.
Newly-promoted Sheffield United remain favorites for relegation at -110 while struggling Newcastle United – with four points – are the most attractive bet for the big tumble at +120. Aston Villa, also newly-promoted, are at +175.
Norwich City’s memorable 3-2 defeat of Manchester City last weekend means they have six points in 13th place. They are priced at +200.
“They have ambition and they still want to grow.”
Sánchez Flores noticed how much the club has changed before he had time to even unpack his rucksack on his first day.
— Watford Football Club #StayHomeSaveLives (@WatfordFC) September 17, 2019
Sheffield United also have five points and are 15th. But the signs are that they are finding the step up from Championship tough.
Watford opened this season with a damaging 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion.
They then lost 1-0 at Everton and were defensively poor again as they were beaten 3-1 at West Ham United.
A 1-1 draw at Newcastle delivered the first point of the season. But it was not enough to save Gracia from the axe.
?Since I was young…? pic.twitter.com/igyjcgBkjP
— Watford Football Club #StayHomeSaveLives (@WatfordFC) September 16, 2019
Dog-fight Against Drop
The tough task Watford face now face is also illustrated by the closeness of the odds in the prices offered for relegation among the group of clubs above that most-favored three. It will be a serious dog-fight.
Burnley are +250 even though they have five points already. Brighton are +225, also with five points.
Wolves are second-from-bottom after a seventh-place finish last season meant they were tipped for big things this time.
Their lowly position is regarded as temporary while they adjust to combining EPL fixtures with the hectic schedule of the Europa League – having been involved in the qualifying stages.
Watford had been fancied for a progressive season under Gracia after finishing 11th last season and reaching the FA Cup final – where they were hammered 6-0 by Manchester City.
#NORMCI sometimes it's very hard to understand.. How can Norwich a team from relegation zone beat #EPL champion's @ManCity #TheScoreKE #SSFootball #bbcfootbal #COYG pic.twitter.com/cWLn3e7bof
— SIR VICTOR MONJERA™°° (@MonjeraVictor) September 14, 2019
Watford had been fancied for a progressive season under Gracia after finishing 11th last season and reaching the FA Cup final – where they were hammered 6-0 by Manchester City.
They had been as high as seventh with three games to go. But the warning signs of trouble ahead were there as they lost all three of those remaining fixtures.
Pick: Newcastle United +120
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
