Reasons to be confident of a Brighton clean sheet at Watford
Robert Sanchez and Brighton can be hopeful of recording a shutout against Watford.
Why? Because nobody who started the Hornets’ last game against West Ham has scored against the Seagulls in the Premier League.
Watford and Brighton have met seven times in the Premier League era and history is in the Albion’s favour having lost only once. The Seagulls have three wins to their name and three games have ended in draws.
That one defeat came in 2018 when Ricardo Pereira scored twice for Watford. Pereira now plays in Italy with Udinese. The only other goal the Hornets have managed in the Premier League was from Abdoulaye Doucouré at the Amex in February 2029. He is currently an Everton player.
So, none of Roy Hodgson’s squad have ever scored for Watford against Brighton. Looking further, only one has a career goal when facing the Albion.
Josh King scored for AFC Bournemouth in the 99th minute to eliminate Brighton from the League Cup third round in 2017. The Seagulls were beaten 1-0 in extra time at the Vitality Stadium.
Brighton’s excellent defensive record in the Premier League this season should already give confidence ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.
No Watford player having a liking for scoring past the Seagulls in their career so far makes hopes of not conceding and a positive result even more likely.
Dimitris Manakos @dimitris_manakos
