Watford look to continue to their ‘Great Escape’ attempt as they welcome Wolves to Vicarage Road.
A win could move Watford above Aston Villa into 18th position depending on how the Villains fare at Burnley at Lunchtime, whilst Wolves look to temporarily climb to fifth with a win and Tottenham defeat at Southampton.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Hughes is a doubt for Watford after picking up a hip injury during Saturday’s win over Aston Villa.
Craig Dawson is doubtful after picking up a knock during that victory despite coming on as a substitute.
Adrian Mariappa is suspended but is expected to be available on Saturday to face Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup.
Jose Holebas (ribs), Daryl Janmaat, Sebastien Prodl (both knee), Tom Cleverley (heel) and Danny Welbeck (thigh) are all ruled out.
Wolves have no fresh injury concerns to report from Sunday’s controversial defeat at Liverpool, although Patrick Cutrone could return from illness which sidelined him at the weekend.
Morgan Gibbs-White (back) and Willy Boly (ankle) remain long-term absentees.
Stat Attack
- Watford have avoided defeat in three of their last five meetings in all competitions (W2, D1, L2).
- These teams have met once before on New Year Day, drawing 0-0 at Wolves on New Year Day 1991 in the old Second Division.
- Watford have scored at least twice in three of their last five clashes with Wolves in all competitions.
- There is yet to be a red card in this Premier League fixture after three previous meetings.
- Watford have scored all four penalties won at home, with two of those penalties coming from Troy Deeney in their last two home games.
Prediction
Watford have quickly found form under Nigel Pearson but this will be a tough test because Wolves will be ready to unleash some serious fury, after VAR denied them a point at Liverpool on Sunday.
I therefore am expecting a scrappy game full of chances but Watford do still have an injury crisis on their hands, which is surely a concern heading into another hectic month of fixtures.
On that note, I am going for a Wolves win because they seem to have the stronger depth and squad rotation needed to dig deep for those three points.
Prediction: Watford 1-2 Wolves
Result: Watford 2-1 Wolves