Watford host Millwall in an enormous showdown in the race for Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs.
Victory would lift sixth-placed Watford above fifth-placed Millwall into fourth before Preston play in the mid-afternoon kick-offs, whilst the Lions can climb to third if Ipswich slip up at home to Blackburn in another lunchtime kick-off.
Team News
Edo Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia are available for Watford following their return from international duty at Africa Cup of Nations.
Pierre Dwomoh (thigh), Caleb Wiley (muscle), Rocco Vata (hamstring), Kevin Keben (muscle) and Giorgi Chakvetadze (foot) remain absent.
Millwall will be without Joel Coleman as he begins a two-match suspension.
Luke Cundle (shoulder) and Casper De Norre (calf) face late fitness checks.
Lukas Jensen (Achilles), Massimo Luongo (knee), Dan Kelly, Will Smallbone (both hamstring), Benicio Baker-Boaitey (groin) and Derek Mazou-Sacko (knock) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Watford host Millwall at Vicarage Road on Saturday 17 January at 12:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Watford have won just one of their last seven meetings against Millwall (W1, D1, L5).
- Millwall have won two of their last six visits to Watford (W2, D1, L3).
- Millwall have kept clean sheets in two of their last four meetings against Watford, which both ended in 1-0 victories albeit at home.
- 28 of Watford’s 41 points so far this season have been earned at home (W8, D4, L1).
- Millwall have won two of their last three league games by 2-1 results; against Bristol City and Swansea respectively at home either side of a goalless away draw at Southampton.
Prediction
Unbeaten in their last seven league matches, Watford can take heart from their early FA Cup exit in a brutal 5-1 loss at Bristol City because they can now knuckle down and focus on their play-off push especially now their defensive play has improved with clean sheets in three of their last four league outings.
Millwall meanwhile have avoided defeat in their last four league games with two wins and draws apiece, but too suffered a 5-1 FA Cup exit albeit away at Burnley through a lack of clinical finishing and defensive errors because they otherwise didn’t play too badly in terms of attacking stats.
This clash therefore does feel more significant now both teams are out of the cup and in steady form so I expect a tough close battle, but Watford’s strong home form could be the difference.
Prediction: Watford 1-0 Millwall
Result: Watford 0-2 Millwall
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