Watford continue their fight for survival against Crystal Palace in a rearranged Premier League clash at Vicarage Road.
Victory would see Roy Hodgson’s Hornets move to within a point of safety, whereas Palace can go 11th with a win.
Team News
Juraj Kucka and Joao Pedro are doubts for Watford after the pair missed the Hornets’ win at Aston Villa on Saturday with knocks.
Emmanuel Dennis (cramp) is a minor doubt whilst Samir (head) is unlikely to be risked, but Peter Etebo (quad) could return to the first-team matchday squad.
Nicolas N’Koulou (hamstring) remains absent.
Crystal Palace could welcome Conor Gallagher back into the matchday squad after he was ineligible to face Chelsea on Saturday, as per the terms of his loan deal as the Eagles eventually lost the match 1-0.
Vincente Guaita (knee) is unlikely to be risked here but Joel Ward (knock) and Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) are absent.
Stat Attack
- Watford have lost just one of their last five league meetings against Crystal Palace (W2, D2, L1).
- Palace have won just one of their last five league visits to Vicarage Road (W1, D3, L1).
- Both teams have been awarded two penalties in ten previous Premier League meetings, of which Watford netted their two penalties and Palace missed one of their spot-kicks.
- Two of Watford’s three last-man tackles in the Premier League this season were made by William Troost-Ekong.
- Conor Gallagher has played more passes than any other Palace midfielder this season, having produced 713 passes in 21 league appearances.
Prediction
Having now got their first win under Hodgson under their belt following Saturday’s win at Villa after delivering a clinical energetic performance with disciplined defending, Watford definitely have to repeat that effort here if want to boost their survival hopes.
Palace meanwhile were unlucky to not snatch a draw against Chelsea because they were largely excellent on the counter-attack with great defending, which was just let down by a late costly lapse in marking butt expect them to be up for this more open clash.
Now if that is the case then this should be a good competitive battle because I imagine both teams will be able to match each other in energy on the attack, whilst defence should also pose another good battle at both ends.
If there is a winner then it will be down to having a clinical final touch, otherwise, I am punting on a tight draw.
Prediction: Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Watford 1-4 Crystal Palace