Hornets to miss big chance to have safety in grasp
Watford take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening in the Premier League at Vicarage Road, buoyed by a rare and unexpected win this season against Aston Villa. They can cut the gap to safety and both Everton and Newcastle United to a single point with a win over the Eagles, but the visitors are stubborn opposition. Read our preview here:
Dennis is snookering you
Former Palace boss Roy Hodgson was persuaded out of retirement for one final great escape attempt with the Hertfordshire outfit, and their survival hinges on the athleticism and collective goalscoring ability of the front three. Emmanuel Dennis only needs one more strike to reach double figures, which would be an impressive tally for his first year in England. The Nigerian striker has a streaky tendency, and his winner over Villa has set him up superbly for this encounter.
Your card's been de-Clyne-d
Patrick Vieira must cope with several injuries to regular starters for their short trip northwards. Regular 'keeper Vicente Guaita is out, so Jack Butland will deputise. At right-back, Joel Ward is still injured, which could hand Nathaniel Clyne only his third start of 2021/2022. He is likely to be targeted aerially by Dennis down his flank, and, whilst there is less onus on the wide defenders bombing forwards than most other top flight sides, they do represent the only true width in the XI.
Betting tip
Watford desperately need another win to maintain both momentum and hopes of staving off relegation. Crystal Palace usually score at least once every match however, so Dennis is likely to need some assistance from elsewhere to secure the points. A draw with odds of 3.20 with betway seems a savvier course of action.
