Team news, key stats and ways to follow ahead of Crystal Palace vs Watford in the Premier League.
Team news
Roy Hodgson has a number of players back, including Mamadou Sakho, as Crystal Palace host Watford. The defender played 90 minutes for the U23s on Monday and is likely to feature in the matchday squad, while Jeffrey Schlupp has an outside chance of being included.
The Eagles manager will be without Cenk Tosun, with the Everton loanee expected to undergo knee surgery next week, and James Tomkins, who could return next week.
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Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson insists he is not considering the possibility of qualifying for Europe this season
Watford are expected to be without Daryl Janmaat and Gerard Deulofeu for the game at Selhurst Park. Janmaat has not recovered in time for the game against Palace, and has not played since November 8.
Deulofeu was carried off on a stretcher during Watford's 3-0 win over Liverpool and Nigel Pearson admitted he did not know when the Spaniard would return.
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Watford manager Nigel Pearson says Gerard Deulofeu is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in their shock win over Liverpool
How to follow
Follow the match in our dedicated live blog, while highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel at 5.15pm.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Watford's win over Liverpool in the Premier League
Opta stats
- Crystal Palace are winless in five matches against Watford in all competitions (D2 L3) since a 2-1 win in December 2017 at Selhurst Park.
- None of the four Premier League meetings between Watford and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park have ended as a draw, with both teams winning two games.
- Crystal Palace have won their last two Premier League games, more than they had in their previous 11 in the competition (W1 D6 L4). The Eagles last won more consecutively between April-August 2018 (4).
- Watford beat league leaders Liverpool 3-0 in their last Premier League game, ending a run of five games without a win (D2 L3).
- Watford have failed to score in a league-high 12 Premier League games this season, while only the Hornets (6) have failed to score in more home games than Crystal Palace (5). Indeed, Crystal Palace have scored fewer home goals than any other Premier League side this term (11).
- Crystal Palace have scored just six goals before half-time in the Premier League this season, with their earliest strike coming in the 21st minute. However, only Liverpool (seven) and Sheffield United (11) have conceded fewer goals in the first half of games this season than the Eagles (12).
- Watford have scored 27 Premier League goals this season, but have an expected goals figure of 35.7. This means based on the quality of chances they've had, they've scored almost nine fewer goals than expected, the biggest negative difference in the league this season.
- Watford manager Nigel Pearson has lost all six of his away Premier League games in London, all with Leicester in 2014-15. Pearson has the worst 100 per cent losing record of any manager in away Premier League games in London.
- Jordan Ayew's seven Premier League goals have been worth 12 points to Crystal Palace in the Premier League this season. Only Andy Johnson's in 2004-05 (15) have been worth more to the Eagles in a single campaign.
- Troy Deeney has been directly involved in eight goals in his last 11 Premier League games (six goals, two assists), though the Watford captain hasn't scored in consecutive league matches since March 2018.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Crystal Palace's win over Brighton in the Premier League
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
I don't now see any danger for Palace, and I feel 39 points will be enough to stay up this year.
We know they don't score too many goals, while Watford on the other hand do. I know Gerard Deulofeu is now out for the rest of the season, but we could see the quality of Ismaila Sarr against Liverpool while Roberto Pereyra drifts in and out.
They have a really good balanced side, but I think they have more strengths than most and should be a mid-table team. I see this as the type of game where the drive that Watford have will get them over the line.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
