Almen Abdi: Watford are proving themselves in the Premier League

Almen Abdi says Watford's impressive first half of the season has given them the confidence that they can compete in the Premier League.

The Hornets start the new year in ninth place in the table after picking up 29 points from 19 games.

In recent weeks they have beaten Liverpool and drawn with Chelsea while only a late goal denied them a point against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

"We believe much more in ourselves," Abdi told Sky Sports ahead of the Saturday Night Football clash with Manchester City. "We know we can play against every team, we are strong enough and we are mentally strong, that's why we have been so successful.

"We have proved that we have a good team with good players, we have 29 points, that's good so far, but we are only halfway through the season so we want to continue."

Key to Watford's success has been the goals of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney, with the pair scoring 20 of the Hornets' 24 goals in the league.

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"They are a threat against every defender," says Abdi. "It is not easy to play against them, they are physical and play very well, they are very important for us. Also they work very well defensively.

The Hornets also have one of the best defensive records in the top flight after conceding 20 times in the first half of the campaign.

"We are well organised and very solid at the back, that's the key of the season," added Abdi. "Since the first day the manager has come in we have worked very hard on tactics."