Watford v Middlesbrough preview: Tom Cleverley in line for start

Tom Cleverley is in contention to start for Watford against Middlesbrough on Saturday after returning to the club on loan.

The midfielder spent the 2009/10 campaign on loan at the Hornets, winning the club’s Player of the Season award, and is back on a temporary basis from Everton until the end of the season.

Watford are set to pay tribute to former manager Graham Taylor, who died on Thursday at the age of 72.

Taylor led the Hornets from the Fourth Division to runners-up in the First Division and also to the 1984 FA Cup final.

“Of course we would like to win for Graham Taylor,” said Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri. “We already have many reasons to win the game on Saturday - and on top of this we now have Graham Taylor.

“This gives an extra reason why we need to win the game against Middlesbrough. Together with the fans we know we have to give everything to gain the maximum result and dedicate a win to a great person and a symbol of the club.”

Watford have not won in the league since beating Everton on December 10 and have lost four of their last five top-flight matches.

Middlesbrough have also found victories hard to come by recently - winning only two of their last 10 league games - and they have not tasted success on the road since their second game of the season at Sunderland.

Team news

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and defender Jose Holebas will be available for Watford after returning from illness.

Valon Behrami, Juan Camilo Zuniga and Stefano Okaka are also likely to feature after recovering from injury.

Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala will miss the match after losing his appeal against the red card he received last weekend in the FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

He will be joined on the sidelines by defender Antonio Barragan (hamstring) and midfielder Gaston Ramirez (knee), although keeper Victor Valdes (knee) is available once again while winger Viktor Fischer is back in training after his own knee problem.

Opta stats

Watford haven’t lost any of their last six league contests with Boro (W4 D2), last losing to them in October 2012.

Middlesbrough have won only one of their last seven trips to Watford, losing on five occasions (D1).

Troy Deeney has scored in six of his last eight league games against Middlesbrough (six goals). The only side he’s scored more league goals against for Watford is Leeds United (seven).

Watford have lost four of their last five Premier League matches (W0 D1 L4), scoring just two goals.

No Premier League team has scored fewer goals (17) or fired in fewer shots on target (50) this season than Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough have won just one of their last 23 away games in the top-flight (2-1 v Sunderland in August 2016), losing 16 (D6).

Only Spurs (14), Chelsea (15) and Man Utd (19) have conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season than Middlesbrough (22).

Paul Merson's prediction

This will be a massive occasion after Graham Taylor’s death. He is an absolute legend at Watford and I am sure the players will put on a show and try to win this game for him.

I’m not sure I would have gone with this result beforehand but I think it will be a special occasion for the players and the fans.

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

Betting

Home advantage sees Watford considered 7/5 favourites for the victory with Middlesbrough 19/10 while the draw is priced at 21/10. Sky Bet consider this a crucial game in the relegation battle, with Boro the fifth favourites for the drop at 9/2 followed by their hosts at 13/2.

Troy Deeney is the 11/2 favourite in a wide-open first goalscorer market, with Alvaro Negredo closely following at 6/1.

Watford v Middlesbrough features among this weekend’s Super 6 games and you can play for free right here to win £250k.

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