Watford vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview

The Golden Boys can make history by winning their first three games in the top-flight for the first time. Some would say an impossible feat before the season as many tipped the Hornets to go down but a bright start has surprised Watford fans and Paul Merson alike. Watford’s two wins from two in dominating fashion have been highlighted by Ben Foster only being forced to make two saves so far this season (the lowest in the league).

On the other hand, Crystal Palace beat newly-promoted Fulham on the opening day but fell to the superior Liverpool on Monday night. Despite losing at home, it was a promising performance by the Eagles but they failed to capitalize from their chances notably Townsend’s shot which cannoned off the crossbar.

SELECTION

Once again, I expect to see an unchanged side against Palace as you know what they say “If it is not broke don’t fix it”. Two impressive performance against good sides will give assurances to Javi (pictured above) and the fans that his ideas and philosophy seem to be working. If there is to be a change in the lineup, most likely Daryl Janmaat will be the casualty as his defensive displays beg the question if Femenia is more suited to the role? Holebas deserves to keep his place after starting the season with much promise, his attacking and defensive displays have put smiles on faces of Watford fans as well as on those who play Fantasy Football after he’s racked up 15 points so far.

Roy Hodgson has a hole to fill after starlet full-back Wan-Bissaka got sent his marching orders on Monday. The right-back has had a very good start to the season, building on his great performances towards the end of last season including a Player of the Month award for March (his first full month of first-team football). Joel Ward is expected to replace him after featuring twice from the bench and coming on shortly after Wan-Bissaka’s dismissal. Another question mark in the lineup is how the new signings will feature? Max Meyer came on with seven minutes remaining but failed to make an impact but perhaps it will be a process to ease him into the squad rather than throwing him in at the deep end. Kouyate’s role is also unsure, he has only played two minutes in a Palace shirt this season (being substituted on against Fulham) but may play a key role against the Horns.

INJURY REPORT:

Watford – Deulofeu, and Chalobah are a doubt, the pair is expected to return at the start of September.

Wilmot, Kaboul, Okaka, and Cleverley are officially ruled out of contention.

Crystal Palace – Wickham and Williams are also a doubt, the pair is expected to return at the start of September.

Dann is officially ruled out of contention.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Watford – Foster; Janmaat, Kabasele, Cathcart, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue; Hughes, Pererya; Deeney, Gray.

Crystal Palace – Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Townsend, Milivojevic, McArthur, Meyer; Zaha, Benteke.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have met frequently throughout their history in fact, on 117 occasions. Palace has the advantage with 49 wins compared to Watford’s 41 but they’ve shared the spoils 27 times. The most recent encounter ended goalless at Vicarage Road, a big difference to Palace’s extraordinary late comeback victory earlier that season. The most notable matches have come at Wembley when Palace beat Watford in the Playoff Final and in the FA Cup Semi-Final more recently.

KEY PLAYERS:

A key player for Watford is hard to define considering the start they’ve made but you can’t look past Andre Gray who looks to of found a new lease of life under Javi Gracia. Scoring against his old club Burnley was a great way to break the duct. He’s been a big focal point of attacks by holding up play, laying off to Doucoure then peeling away and running behind creating the space needed to utilize his talents.

Wilfried Zaha (pictured above) is the main man for Palace as he has been for the past few seasons. His technical ability on the ball is fantastic as well as his pace and power. If they’re going to get a mid-table finish they need Zaha firing on all accounts. Zaha contributes to the game much more than Gray with having 105 touches compared to Gray’s 36 but he has been dispossessed the most times in the league (13).

PREDICTION:

It should be a great match to watch as Watford are gunning for the record and Palace want to avenge the loss to Liverpool. Both teams utilize the two up top striker partnership with a big and small effect. However, Watford has more quality in the midfield and defense which will keep Zaha at bay and that will cost the Eagles, with that in mind I’m going with a Watford win. 1-0.

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