Chris Hughton has backed striker Glenn Murray as Brighton prepare to take on Watford on Saturday.

Murray won a penalty against Burnley after tangling with James Tarkowski in the area but then blazed his effort well over the bar.

But despite his costly miss, Hughton said ahead of his side's latest Premier League test: "Most things don't change. Whoever takes penalties on a regular basis is going to miss some. I didn't need to speak to Glenn, there was nothing to say, and my faith in his penalty taking hasn't changed."

Watford were thumped 4-1 at home by Huddersfield last time out and their cause was not helped by Troy Deeney's first-half red card.

Deeney, who missed three matches due to suspension in November, will now be absent for a further four games and Marco Silva admitted that he has spoken to the striker about his disciplinary record.

He said: "Of course, I've spoken to him. What I tell him - and he knows this as well - is to stay between me, our squad, and inside our club."

Team news

Steve Sidwell (knee) remains Chris Hughton's only injury absentee but he will also be without Shane Duffy through suspension meaning one of Conor Goldson or Uwe Hünemeier will deputise.

Deeney begins his four-match suspension after having his appeal for his red card against Huddersfield rejected.

Abdoulaye Doucoure is also banned after accumulating his fifth booking of the season last weekend while Marvin Zeegelaar will serve the final game of his three-match suspension.

Kiko Femenia, Will Hughes (both hamstring), Stefano Okaka (calf), Isaac Success, Nathaniel Chalobah and Craig Cathcart (all knee) remain sidelined but Miguel Britos could return following a bruised foot.

Opta stats

Brighton have won one of their last 11 league matches against Watford (D5 L5), a 1-0 win at Vicarage Road in September 2012 in the Championship.

This will be the first meeting between these sides at Brighton in the top-flight since New Year's Day 1983, a 1-1 draw at the Goldstone Ground.

Brighton & Hove Albion have scored just one goal in their last six Premier League games (D2 L4), with that goal coming in a 1-5 home defeat against Liverpool.

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Watford have won 59% of their Premier League points away from home this season (13/22), the highest ratio in the division.

Silva's side have had a player sent off in each of their last three Premier League games - no side has ever received a red card in four consecutive games in the competition.

Watford will be without the suspended Abdoulaye Doucouré for this game. So far this season, he's played in every single minute of their Premier League action (1620), is their top goalscorer (6), has made a team-high 17% of their successful passes, has made more interceptions than any other Hornet (28) and has covered the most ground for the club (215.1km).

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After being involved in seven goals in his first 10 Premier League games (2 goals, 5 assists), Pascal Groß has scored just one and assisted none in his subsequent eight.

Merson's prediction

I watched Brighton against Burnley and I thought they were unlucky. They were outstanding for parts of that game. They missed the penalty, and the confidence just seemed to drain away from them.

Poor discipline is hurting Watford. Three sending offs on the trot - you are not going to win too many games with 10 men. Manchester City might be able to get away with it, but Watford won't. The games seem to be catching up with them at the moment.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

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