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Apr 23, 2019 at 7.45pm UK at ​Vicarage Road
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Javi Gracia: 'Watford need points more than Southampton'

Gracia: 'Watford need points more than Southampton'
© Reuters
Gracia has enjoyed a fine first full season at Vicarage Road.

Watford host Southampton on Tuesday night with Hornets head coach Javi Gracia insisting his side need the points just as much as their lowly visitors.

With an FA Cup final meeting with Manchester City on the horizon and the potential for a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, Gracia has enjoyed a fine first full season at Vicarage Road.

Southampton, meanwhile, are still not mathematically safe from relegation and are currently five points clear of Cardiff in 18th – despite winning three of their last five matches.

The trip to Hertfordshire is their game in hand and a chance for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side to all-but secure another season in the top-flight, but Gracia will be sending his players out with a clear message.

"I think before playing the game, my players know perfectly that we need the points more than them," he said.

"It is the best mentality to get the points available. If we don't play with that feeling it is difficult to get results.

"They really need the points as well. We try to compete as well as possible because I'm sure we will have to if we want the points.

"All of the teams are honest and always they play very well and it is always difficult to get points in the different circumstances.

"We have to be concentrated until the end, if we don't do it in the next games, I'm sure we won't be able to achieve the results we want."

Gracia has earned plenty of plaudits in leading Watford to just the second FA Cup final in their history and already achieving a record Premier League points total.

The Spaniard, however, is pleased that his players are now starting to be hailed for their form in what could prove to be an historic season.

"I am happy at the moment," he added.

"I live in the moment and I enjoy the moment, the success of this season is not only at the end, we have to enjoy every day and every single game.

"I'm happy at the moment because my players have the recognition and that is important for me, to see our supporters enjoy it with the team and feel as well that my players have that recognition."

Captain Troy Deeney remains suspended for the Southampton game having seen his appeal for a red card in the recent defeat to Arsenal rejected.

In a timely boost with the cup final on the horizon, Roberto Pereyra could play some part on Tuesday night having overcome a hip problem.


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Javi Gracia in charge of Watford on February 2, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool36287184206491
2Manchester CityMan City35292489226789
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs352311165353070
4Chelsea35207859382167
5Arsenal35206969462366
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd35197963501364
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35149124443151
8Watford35148135050050
9Everton35147145044649
10Leicester CityLeicester35146154847148
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham35127164454-1043
12Crystal Palace35126174348-542
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
14Bournemouth35125184962-1341
15Burnley35117174462-1840
16Southampton35910164158-1737
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3597193254-2234
18Cardiff CityCardiff3594223065-3531
RFulham3565243376-4323
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3635282074-5414

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