Watford will be looking to continue their fine start to life under new manager Nigel Pearson as they host fellow relegation battlers Aston Villa on Saturday.
Both sides will be coming into this one confident of securing victory after the pair picked up fantastic results on Boxing Day - Villa winning 1-0 at home to Norwich while the Hornets snatched a point away at the high-flying Sheffield United.
Last weekend at home to Manchester United, Pearson oversaw Watford's first Premier League win since the start of November. Early on in his tenure, the former Leicester boss has certainly got the most out of a squad that isn't void of talent by any means.
Villa, meanwhile, without John McGinn and Tyrone Mings, kept themselves within touching distance of safety after securing an imperative win on Boxing Day - just as it looked like they were going to slump down to the foot of the table. This, once more, is another relegation six-pointer for the visitors.
Here's 90min's preview of the game.
Where to Watch
| When is Kick Off? | Saturday 28 December |
| What Time is Kick Off? | 15:00 (BST) |
| Where is it Played? | Vicarage Road |
| TV Channel/Live Stream | N/A |
| Referee | Simon Hooper |
Team News
Abdoulaye Doucoure will return to Watford's starting XI after serving his one-game suspension last time out. Nathaniel Chalobah will likely make way for the Frenchman in midfield.
Ismaila Sarr is a doubt after picking up a knock against Sheffield United
Danny Welbeck, Sebastian Prodl, Daryl Janmaat and former Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley are all long-term injury absentees.
Villa were dealt a huge blow in the week as they learned that John McGinn would be sidelined for three months with an ankle injury.
On the bright side, however, star defender Tyrone Mings could return for this one after recovering from a hamstring injury. If he doesn't return here, the England international should be back in action on New Year's Day.
Dean Smith could welcome Bjorn Engels, Frederic Guilbert and Jonathan Kodija back to the starting XI on Saturday after the trio were unused substitutes against Norwich. Match-winner Conor Hourihane is set to regain his place in the Villans' central midfield after coming off the bench against the Canaries.
Opta's Stats and Sound Betting Advice
Watford have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes of late, taking four points from their last two games – as many as they had won in their previous 21 league outings.
The Hornets could hardly have asked for better opposition as they aim to add to their tally. Aston Villa have won only one of their last 27 league away games, with their four points on the road this season the fewest in the Premier League.
Gerard Deulofeu was on target in Watford's draw at Sheffield United on Boxing Day, and he is likely to be their dangerman again on Saturday. Deulofeu has scored more Premier League goals (14) than any Watford player since his debut in January 2018.
Predicted Lineups
| Watford | Foster; Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenia; Capoue, Hughes; Pereyra, Doucoure, Deulofeu; Deeney. |
| Villa | Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Hause, Targett; Luiz, Hourihane; El Ghazi, Grealish, Jota; Wesley. |
Stats Centre
Surprisingly, these two have only met 19 times ever, with the first fixture dating back to 1969 and the most recent being in 2016 - the last time the duo were both in the Premier League
Both have won seven of the 19 meetings, but it was the Hornets who won both fixtures in the 2015/16 season - winning 3-2 at Villa Park before tasting victory once more in the reverse fixture in another 3-2 win.
Villa's last victory over Watford came in the top-flight back in 2007 - winning 2-0.
Recent Form
This whole 'new manager bounce' thing is great, and it's Watford who have been the most recent beneficiary.
The Hornets were unfortunate not to escape Anfield with a point in Pearson's first game in charge before two goals in the space of four second-half minutes saw them overcome United 2-0 last weekend. The Boxing Day point at Bramall Lane saw them move off the foot of the table and a win in this one would see Pearson's men move to within two points of Saturday's opponents in 18th.
Villa, meanwhile, snatched all three points last time out in what was, arguably, their most important fixture of the season - beating Norwich 1-0 at Villa Park.
The Villans had come into that one without a win in five and they swiftly became prime relegation candidates, despite the persistent magic of Jack Grealish. They certainly rode their luck at times, with Norwich
Here's a look at how these two have fared in their last five encounters.
| Watford | Villa |
| Sheffield Utd 1-1 Watford (26/12) | Villa 1-0 Norwich (26/12) |
| Watford 2-0 Man Utd (22/12) | Villa 1-3 Southampton (21/12) |
| Liverpool 2-0 Watford (14/12) | Villa 5-0 Liverpool (17/12) |
| Watford 0-0 Palace (07/12) | Sheffield Utd 2-0 Villa (14/12) |
| Leicester 2-0 Watford (04/12) | Villa 1-4 Leicester (08/12) |
Prediction
Despite Villa being buoyed by their huge Boxing Day victory, you can expect the home side to get the result in this one.
On paper, Watford
With Villa
Prediction: Watford 2-0 Aston Villa
Visit bet365 for the latest Premier League odds.
Source : 90min