Matt Ritchie will face tough test against Watford’s talisman Sarr

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Newcastle United’s quest for their first Premier League win of the season takes them to newly-promoted Watford on Saturday.

The Magpies will be hoping that it’s a case of sixth time lucky when they travel to Vicarage Road and they can clinch their first three points of the season.

The Hornets, like fellow promoted side Brentford, have had a positive start to the top-flight campaign and already have two wins to their name.

Similar to Steve Bruce’s side in Allan Saint-Maximin, Watford have their very own in-form matchwinner in Ismalia Sarr.

Huge Sarr test for Matt Ritchie

Left wing-back Matt Ritchie will be the man tasked with stopping Sarr, who comes into the clash off the back of two goals in the Hornets’ 3-1 win against Norwich City.

That took the Senegalese’s Premier League tally for the season to three, and he has scored 50% of Watford’s six top-flight goals so far this season.

Only Bruno Fernandes, Michail Antonio and Mohamed Salah have scored more Premier League goals than the 23-year-old (WhoScored).

Ritchie is going to be coming against one of the league’s paciest and trickiest wingers.

Only Newcastle’s very own talisman Saint-Maximin (4.4) and Wolves’ speed demon Adama Traore (9.8) are currently averaging more dribbles per game than Sarr (3.2).

In order for Ritchie to try and contain the in-form Sarr, he may resort to what other Premier League defenders are having to do.

Only Wilfried Zaha (4) currently averages getting fouled more times per game than Sarr (3.2).

How else does Ritchie stop Watford’s star man?

Bruce may opt to double up on Sarr to protect Ritchie, but the former Bournemouth man will have to maintain concentration and not dive into tackles against Sarr.

Patience could be the key for Ritchie and striking the balance between not getting too tight and not giving a man whose confidence will be sky high too much space.

If Ritchie can frustrate Sarr and keep him quiet then that could go a long to nullifying the threat Watford will pose.

Although Sarr has the capabilities to be the matchwinner come Saturday, he also has a tendency to be sloppy in possession.

Only Richarlison (3.5) and Emiliano Buendia (4.3) average being dispossessed more per game than Sarr (3.2).

The Ritchie v Sarr battle could be crucial in determining who comes away with the three points. Let’s hope the 32-year-old produces a defensive masterclass and spends the game forcing Sarr to track him back.