With the 2015/16 English Premier League season a matter of weeks away, Richard Jolly provides his thoughts on each of the 20 teams and predicts their final league finish. Here he looks at newly-promoted Watford.
Instability tends to be regarded as a bad thing. Yet Watford won promotion under their fourth manager of last season, Slavisa Jokanovic, and he promptly left.
His replacement, Quique Sanchez Flores, arrives with the pedigree of a Europa League and Copa del Rey winner.
The former Al Ahli and Al Ain coach is part of a unique project. Watford are owned by the Pozzo family, who also control Udinese and Granada and contain plenty of their former players but, for once, they have cast their net wider.
Etienne Capoue has arrived from Tottenham Hotspur to offer a solid base in midfield. the former Hamburg man Valon Behrami should offer more adventure. Allan Nyom and Jose Holebas are the probable wing-backs.
Centre-backs Craig Cathcart and Gabriele Angella have signed new deals, suggesting continuity at the back. It bodes well that forwards Troy Deeney, Odion Ighalo and Matej Vydra scored 57 league goals between them last season; less so that Watford, who will now face rather better opposition, only managed mixed results against the Championship’s top eight.
The only guarantee is that, if results are not forthcoming, Flores is unlikely to stay for long. But, man for man, Watford may have the most quality of the three newcomers to the top flight.
Key man: Troy Deeney — The captain made Watford history by scoring 20 league goals in three successive seasons. Burnley wanted him last summer. Had they been able to afford him, perhaps they would have stayed up.
Pivotal signing: Etienne Capoue — A bit-part player at Tottenham, but the forceful Frenchman was genuinely impressive for Toulouse. If he can replicate that form, Watford's record signing will prove to be money well-spent.
Crucial factor: Christmas. Between December 19 and January 2, Watford face Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City in the space of four games. Lesser sides in the Premier League can often go on extended losing runs; Watford have to ensure they do not go into freefall then.
Prediction: 16th
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The%20specs
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Racecard
6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m
8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
Men’s singles
Group A: Son Wan-ho (Kor), Lee Chong Wei (Mas), Ng Long Angus (HK), Chen Long (Chn)
Group B: Kidambi Srikanth (Ind), Shi Yugi (Chn), Chou Tien Chen (Tpe), Viktor Axelsen (Den)
Women’s Singles
Group A: Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn), Pusarla Sindhu (Ind), Sayaka Sato (Jpn), He Bingjiao (Chn)
Group B: Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe), Sung Hi-hyun (Kor), Ratchanok Intanon (Tha), Chen Yufei (Chn)
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
if you go
The flights
Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.
The trip
Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.
