Watford vs Crystal Palace preview
Alan Pardew reveals what he admires about @WatfordFC ahead of Sunday.
Full video at http://t.co/TTogt72Aro. #CPFC
https://t.co/HV1y5ak1sf
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) September 25, 2015
Alan Pardew helped the Eagles achieve their best points tally in the Premier League last season, but the addition of quality players like Yohan Cabaye and Bakary Sako added more expectations that the team will kick-on this term.
That makes this an encounter Palace would want to win if they hope to finish in the top-half of the table. They will want to build on the convincing 4-1 Capital One Cup victory over Charlton on Wednesday.
Watford team news
- Valon Behrami is still suspended.
- Joel Ekstrand (ACL knee) and Lloyd Doyley (neck) continue their long-term recoveries.
Crystal Palace team news
- Pardew could be without his first-choice central defenders as Scott Dann (calf) and Damien Delaney (groin) are both doubts for this game.
- Mile Jedinak, Marouane Chamakh (both hamstring) and Connor Wickham (calf) could all miss out as well.
- Joel Ward (knee) and Kwesi Appiah (ACL knee) are definitely out.
Watford vs Crystal Palace prediction
Sanchez Flores could retain the side that defeated the Magpies last time out, which would see Ben Watson and Etienne Capoue operate as a central midfield pair with Jurado and Almen Abdi as the wide midfielders in a 4-4-2 formation. Troy Deeney would partner Odion Ighalo up top in that system.
Dwight Gayle bagged a hat-trick in midweek and he will probably be pushing for a start should Wickham miss out for Palace. Pardew could also start without a recognised striker as he did at Tottenham last weekend.
Yannick Bolasie may spearhead the attack, if the Palace boss opts for the second option, with Sako, Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon as the attacking midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Cabaye could be the main holding midfielder, using his spatial awareness to break up Watford’s attacks while also recycling possession as a deep-lying playmaker. James McArthur should continue as the other central midfielder, frequently breaking forward to support play through the middle.
The Hornets will be on their own patch so they will probably take the initiative and enjoy more possession. That will play into Palace’s strengths given the explosive forwards at their disposal.
Score prediction
Watford 1-2 Crystal Palace.
