On Sky
In form Watford now face a tricky home test, against a solid Crystal Palace team.
The last time the Hornets and the Eagles met was one to forget for Watford fans, as former Golden Boy, Kevin Phillips, converted a penalty in extra time of the 2013 Championship Play-Off final, which was enough to secure the South Londoners a place in the top flight.
The Hornets are coming into this clash on the back of a 2-1 away win at Newcastle United, last weekend, whilst the Eagles failed to make their chances count, away to Spurs last Sunday, ending in a 1-0 loss.
Watford and Crystal Palace currently hold amount of points this season in nine, with just one goal separating Watford in 10th and Alan Pardew’s Palace in 8th.
No doubt this will be a tricky tie for both sides, with the Hornets being the only team in the league, not to concede a goal at home, whilst Crystal Palace grabbed three points away to Chelsea earlier on in the season, and posses a big threat in Yannick Bolasie and Bakary Sako on the flanks.
Quotes from the Managers:
Watford boss Quique Flores speaking to Sky Sports: ‘We feel confident but we must respect Crystal Palace. They have achieved very good results away from home.’
‘Crystal Palace are very quick offensively and have players who are very clever at using space. They will come with a high spirit so if we want to win we will have to play very well.’
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew speaking in his pre-match press conference: ‘I thought we played very well against Charlton. We controlled the game and scored good goals. We need to take that into Watford.’
I think they’re (Watford) a super club. I’ve always liked them and Elton John I’m a big fan of,’ the former Newcastle boss said, going on to add, ‘I can imagine there’s extra incentive for them [due to the Play-Off final].’
Watford Team News:
Watford will remain without Valon Behrami, who is still serving a three match ban after his sending off against Swansea.
Joel Ekstrand is still enduring recovery, over a knee injury, which rules him out of the tie.
Adlene Guedioura could be in line for a start against his former club, after making the switch from South London to Hertfordshire on this summer’s deadline day.
Player to watch: Odion Ighalo
Ighalo has been Watford’s hero so far this season, having scored three in his last two, no doubt he will be looking to link up with his solid strike partner, Troy Deeney, and make it a difficult afternoon for the Palace defence.
Crystal Palace Team News:
Welsh midfielder, Joe Ledley, is available for the Eagles, having been given a run out in their thrashing over Charlton in the Cup midweek, after overcoming a hamstring injury.
Solid defenders Scott Dann and Damien Delaney will be a big miss for the Eagles, if they’re unlikely to be match fit enough to be in the starting line up.
Player to watch: Yannick Bolasie
Bolasie has been the key man for Crystal Palace for some time now, and the Watford full backs will need to be alert for the full ninety minutes, if they’re to pick up some kind of result.
Ref Watch:
The referee for tomorrow’s game is Anthony Taylor, read our ‘Man In The Middle’ feature to find out the man from Cheshire’s stats.
