England Premier League
Wednesday 23rd February 2022
Kick off at 7:30pm GMT
Venue: Vicarage Road
Match Preview:
Just when Watford fans thought their club is going to get relegated they beat Aston Villa away from home and pick up a huge 3 points. This was Roy Hodgson’s first victory as Watford manager and the game almost felt like a classic FA Cup upset with Hodgson at 74 outdoing Villa manager Steven Gerrard who is one the youngest managers in the league.
The Hornets are still very much in trouble of course but the victory has to give them some hope now. The club are in 18th place with 18 points and are 4 points from safety. Can it be done? The victory over Aston Villa was only Watford’s fifth of the season and only 2 of those have come at home. The harsh fact is that currently Watford have the worst home record in the league where from a possible 36 points they have just 7.
It is easy to think Crystal Palace are very safe this season but at the same time if they lost here the difference between Watford and them would only be six points with another 36 points on the table so there really is everything to play for here. Palace have been poor lately and it will be a worry for manager Patrick Vieira. However the Eagles were unlucky at the weekend when they lost 1-0 to a last minute Chelsea goal. However Palace have won just 3 points from their last 15 and it is no wins this year in the league.
On the road just 9 points from a possible 36 have been won although the Eagles have drawn their last 3 games which have come against Brentford, Norwich and Brighton. With 11 goals scored away from home only three other teams have netted fewer.
Team News:
Watford: Kwadwo Baah and Peter Etebo both have a lack of match fitness but have trained and will be assessed. Juraj Kucka and Joao Pedro both have knocks although they are thought to be minor and they both have a chance of playing in this fixture.
Crystal Palace: Nathan Ferguson has a hamstring injury and has been ruled out until April, Vicente Guaita has a knee injury and is a doubt for this game but could be back as early as this weekend.
Watford vs Crystal Palace Head to Head:
The clubs last met here in the EFL Cup at the beginning of the season and Watford won 1-0.
The last 3 meetings have all been under 1.5 goals.
It’s been 6 years since Palace beat Watford away from home and that is going back 13 games.
5 from the last 9 games has either ended in a 0-0 or 1-0 score line.
Watford vs Crystal Palace Prediction:
As is how Watford play expect a tight score line just as the recent history suggests between these sides. That history also favours the home side and what a huge 3 points it would be for the club. Palace are not to be dismissed but their form has been lacklustre lately but at the same time that will end and they do have an explosive attack when it does.
Watford will stick to Hodgson’s game plan and if it comes off he comes off as a hero once again. The good news is the club do not come into this game with another defeat to carry and because they won their last match the fans will welcome the side and create quite an atmosphere. Midweek evening games have that special kind of atmosphere for the home side and that is why we will be backing the Hornets to get at least a point. It will be close and tense though, but this is the match that could well signal Watford’s desire to try and stay up.
Watford vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+0.5 Watford) at 1.60
Half Time: Correct Score: 0-0 or 1-0 to Watford at 2.50 and 5.00
Anytime goalscorer: Emmanuel Dennis at 3.00
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