After the high scoring game against Southampton two weeks ago that saw the Hornets on the losing side, Walter Mazzarri had two weeks to ponder over the mistakes they made and is expected to come back stronger when they visit Selhurst Park. They face a revived Crystal Palace side who seem to have gotten back their form just at the right moment.
The Eagles have won their last two games and have kept themselves just above the relegation zone collecting one point more (25) than Hull City. No action last week has brought Bournemouth closer to Watford as they managed to hold Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Hornets are currently sitting in the 13th position and a win against Crystal Palace might even take them two places up.
Watford’s away record at Selhurst has been quite decent of late, where they have won on their last two trips. And Mazzarri would expect that to continue this time too. However, Palace have scored in each of their previous 13 fixtures against them and this game is unlikely to end as a goalless draw.
Strongest Watford XI vs Crystal Palace (4-4-2)
Defence
Heurelho Gomes will start under the bar. The Brazilian had a bad game last time as Southampton managed to put four goals past him and he would hope to improve this time.
The back four is expected to change a little. Kaboul didn’t have a similar impact at right-back as he usually has had from the central position, and we expect him to exchange places with the Greek international Miguel Britos. Britos will have a tough job to contain an in-form Wilfred Zaha.
The rest of the back line won’t need much changing as Palace doesn’t have a fearsome attack, and it will be down to keeping their focus clear. Jose Holebas should start on the left defensive flank and will have a big task of marking Andros Townsend. Sebastian Prodl will start alongside Kaboul at the heart of the defence.
Midfield
Despite playing with two deep-lying midfielders, whose primary job was to add an extra layer to the Watford defence, the Hornets’ backline crumbled quite easily last time. The manager would expect a better display from them this time. Valon Behrami and Tom Cleverley are once again expected to start there.
Attack
Isaac Success is expected to take Etienne Capoue’s place on the left flank after making an instant impact on the game last time. M’baye Niang will take the right flank. The two strikers will continue to be Okaka and Troy Deeney.
