Stoke City will be facing a Watford side as the festive fixtures come to an end for them. The Potters got off to a horrendous start and were in the relegation zone with little to be positive about. But a string of victories got them back into reckoning and into a comfortable mid-table standing, off late.
But they are currently on a streak of 4 matches without a win and a positive result against the Hornets is vital. After back to back losses against the Top 2 in the League where they conceded 8 goals, Mark Hughes will be wary of his defence continuing to leak goals.
Watford are immediately above Stoke City by just a point. These games with teams in and around them are probably even more crucial as a win or two drastically changes the equations as the teams are stacked in such close proximity to each other.
Watford are also coming off a demoralising hammering at the hands of Spurs and similar to Stoke, conceded 4 in their last game.
Both the teams could do with points but it will probably be Stoke City who needs to show intent and go for the jugular in front of their home fans.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Stoke City Lineup Vs Watford
DEFENCE
Lee Grant is likely to continue in goal having impressed just enough to have a run in the team despite conceding 4 goals back to back. He will hope for a quieter day in office and look to chalk up a clean sheet.
A back four is looking likely which will see Johnson and Pieters line up as conventional fullbacks.
Ryan Shawcross will be in central defence with Bruno Martins Indi as his partner. Stoke haven’t covered themselves in glory at the back lately and need to cut down on individual errors more than anything else.
