After seeing off local rivals Charlton Athletic in the League Cup with a convincing 4-1 win, Palace must now look to rekindle their league form.
Alan Pardew’s side narrowly lost the last two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Now the Eagles face an in form Watford side at Vicarage Road. The Hornets have not conceded a goal at home since their return to the top flight.
The side now managed by Quique Sanchez perhaps have a small advantage having exited the cup in the second round at the hands of Preston North End so they have had eight days to prepare for this game. A victory for either side would see them reach twelve points.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Joel Ward (knee) and Mile Jedinak (hamstring) miss out once again. Damien Delaney (groin) limped off in midweek and was taken off as a precaution and should start alongside Scott Dann (calf) who is expected return to the starting line up. Connor Wickham (calf) should play some part but most likely to be from the bench. No return date for either Kwesi Appiah or Maroune Chamakh.
Watford – Swiss international Valon Behrami misses out through suspension while defenders Joel Ekstrand (knee) and Lloyd Doyley (neck) also miss out. Other than that Sanchez has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Form Guide
These two sides are well matched having accumulated the same amount of points after the first six games of the season. The hosts are on a better run having won their last two games while Palace have lost the last two.
In the last six games between the two, Palace have the edge having won three while two were draws. Three of those last six were at Vicarage Road which has been a happy hunting ground for Palace with one win and two draws. Palace have scored in every one of the last six games between the two while Watford failed to score in two.
- 27th May 2013: Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford (aet). The game that will live long in the memory as the catalyst to what we are witnessing now in what was the most recent clash between the two. Only a Kevin Phillips penalty could separate them in the richest game in football.
- 8th February 2013: Watford 2-2 Crystal Palace. The Hornets went into an early two goal lead courtesy of Fitz Hall and Nathaniel Chalobah but two goals in four second half minutes from Peter Ramage and Kevin Phillips shared the points.
The Hornets have managed just one win in the last nine games against Palace. The Eagles in contrast have won six and can also boast the most points away from home in the Premier League in 2015 with 25.
One to Watch
Odion Ighalo – striker
The Nigerian will make his fiftieth appearance for Watford. He has been a regular loan player during his time at Udinese where he only managed six appearances and one goal for the Serie A side. After spells at Granada and Cesena, the 26 year old arrived at Vicarage Road last year and made eight appearances scoring three goals. Since signing for Watford he has made over forty appearances and scored twenty four goals. He has played for Nigeria at under 20 level and also three full international caps.
Predictions
Final league position – 18th
It is always tough being a newly promoted side and a good start is crucial to setting the tone for the season. That is what the Hornets have so far achieved but there is plenty more work to do. It will be close at the bottom come the end of the season but there is a feeling that Watford may not have quite enough to stick around for another season.
- TEB prediciton – away win
- Watford FC Blog prediction – draw
- Who Scored prediction – home Win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 6/4
- Draw 9/4
- Away 19/10
Find out what the team at Watford FC Blog told TEB this week in The Watford View.
