Both Watford and Arsenal are without a win as they enter their third game of the new Premier League season, but it is Arsene Wenger who will be feeling the pressure after he was booed by his own fans on the opening day of the campaign following defeat to Liverpool.
The Hornets will aim to get back on track at Vicarage Road when they welcome the Gunners this Saturday as their first match at home ended in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.
Watford
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Watford had a new-look regime heading into the 2015-16 season under Quique Flores and it has been a swift turnaround once again as Walter Mazzarri has the reins for the current campaign.
The Hornets managed to retain their Premier League status last season, but they will be dragged into a relegation battle quickly if they do not get off the mark with a victory.
Mazzarri's first league game in charge was away to Southampton, and it could not have got off to a better start when Etienne Capoue put Watford ahead inside the first nine minutes of action.
They failed to hold on to their advantage, though, as Southampton new boy Nathan Redmond nabbed a 58-minute equaliser, which was enough to earn a point at St Mary's.
The fixtures did not ease up for the Hornets as their next test was a visit from Chelsea, but Mazzarri's side held their own. In fact, they put the five-time English champions on the back foot by nudging ahead early in the second half thanks to a goal from Capoue.
Watford held on for 80 minutes, but they were eventually undone by Michy Batshuyai's equaliser and Diego Costa's 87th-minute winner.
Considering the opposition that they faced, the Hornets did not quiver and were it not for midweek's shock exit from the EFL Cup, Mazzarri's men would have been heading into this weekend's match with an extra boost of confidence.
Troy Deeney was among the players that featured in Tuesday night's cup tie against Gillingham, and despite Odion Ighalo putting the team ahead, they were eventually dumped out in extra time after their League One opponents scored twice.
Off the pitch, the Hornets have had a lift as they welcomed Newcastle United right-back Daryl Janmaat to the club on a four-year deal yesterday for a fee thought to be in the region of £7m.
Recent form: DL
Recent form (all competitions): DLL
Arsenal
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The knives are already out for Wenger after fans at the Emirates witnessed a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on the opening day of the Premier League campaign.
The phrase 'a game of two halves' rang true that afternoon as Arsenal were dominant in the first 45 minutes but failed to handle Liverpool's attack in the second half, despite scoring twice in a comeback attempt.
A smattering of boos were heard around the stadium at the final whistle, and the pressure did not ease off in the following weekend when the Gunners failed to score against reigning champions Leicester City.
It was a frustrating afternoon as a goalless draw was played out at the King Power Stadium, leaving Arsenal with one point out of a possible six.
Attention has turned to the club's transfer spending once again as they have so far only recruited Granit Xhaka, who cost a reported figure of around £30m from Borussia Monchengladbach, and Rob Holding.
The team are struggling defensively as well considering that both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista are on the treatment table, leaving Laurent Koscielny, Callum Chambers and Holding available.
There have been conflicting reports in the media suggesting about Arsenal's rumoured pursuit of Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez, who has also been linked to Everton.
Spanish outlet Marca has claimed that a €20m (£17.1m) fee has been agreed, but Cadena Ser reports that the Gunners' offer has been rejected.
As it stands, Arsenal, who finished 10 points below Leicester in the title race last season, will not have any new faces in the squad for Saturday's trip to Vicarage Road.
Recent form: LD
Team News
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New arrival Janmaat could be handed his debut for Watford this weekend, while Younes Kaboul could also be included in the defensive line.
Deeney and Ighalo are expected to lead the line up front, with Roberto Pereyra possibly coming into the fold, sitting just behind the pair in attack.
As for Arsenal, Wenger could give starting spots to Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil after they made appearances against Leicester following an extended break due to their participation at Euro 2016.
Holding is expected to keep his place at the back alongside Koscielny, while summer signing Xhaka could be paired in the middle of the park with Francis Coquelin.
Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi remained sidelined with injuries.
Watford possible starting lineup:
Gomes; Kaboul, Britos, Prodl, Janmaat; Behrami, Capoue, Pereyra, Zuniga; Deeney, Ighalo
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
Head To Head
Arsenal enjoyed their trip to Vicarage Road last season as they earned a 3-0 triumph, with Alexis Sanchez, Ramsey and Giroud getting on the scoresheet.
The Gunners will be wary of the Hornets, though, as they were knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by them in a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates in March.
The last time that these two sides met was four months ago when Arsenal secured a comfortable 4-0 triumph, which included goals from Sanchez, Iwobi, Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott.
Arsenal have only conceded three goals against Watford in their past five fixtures.
We say: Watford 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal have not had the best start to the campaign, but this weekend could be the game that they need to kickstart their season. The team's players who competed at Euro 2016 are coming back into the side for Wenger and while their performances have not yet clicked, the North London outfit has more quality in their ranks. As for Watford, they will be determined to get over their midweek EFL Cup exit and have the home support to call on. The Hornets managed to keep Chelsea at bay for 80 minutes in their recent encounter, but Arsenal might have too much for them.
Danielle Joynson
