Watford host West Ham United on Saturday afternoon with both sides looking to register their first wins of the new Premier League season.
Javi Gracia's Hornets lost 1-0 to Everton at Goodison Park last Saturday, while Manuel Pellegrini's Hammers responded to their 5-0 opening weekend drubbing against Manchester City by picking up a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Match Preview
© Reuters
Watford's defeat to Everton took their losing run in the Premier League to five games dating back to last season, with their only league wins since April coming against Fulham and Huddersfield Town.
The Hornets were markedly improved against the Toffees last Saturday, ultimately only undone by a slow start that they failed to recover from.
Roberto Pereyra was restored to the team for that game in place of Andre Gray, while former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck made his debut as a second-half substitute.
After this weekend's game with the Hammers, Javi Gracia's side face a midweek Carabao Cup tie with Coventry City and a trip to Newcastle United before the season's first international break at the beginning of September.
© Reuters
Javier Hernandez's second-half strike was enough to get West Ham a point against Brighton last weekend in a game where Manuel Pellegrini's side were outplayed for long periods.
Summer signing Pablo Fornals made his first start for the club but he was largely ineffective, as were fellow midfielders Manuel Lanzini, Jack Wilshere and Robert Snodgrass.
Former Arsenal man Wilshere went off at half time and his replacement, Michail Antonio, was effective, utilising his pace and power to good effect.
Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson both missed the Brighton game with knocks but they are expected to return for Saturday's fixture, as is club captain Mark Noble.
Watford form: LL
West Ham United form: LD
Team News
© Reuters
Watford were dealt a blow with the news this week that Troy Deeney will be out for around six weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery.
Although Gracia is likely to field a team similar to that which has started the club's first two games of the season, Welbeck is likely to start alongside Andre Gray in place or the Hornets captain.
By contrast, expect West Ham to ring the changes for their third league game of the season.
Noble, Anderson and Haller are all set to be fit enough to return to the squad for this weekend's game, although the 32-year-old Noble is only likely to be fit enough for a place on the bench.
Javier Hernandez was impressive against Brighton and could well keep his place in the starting lineup, with Pellegrini possibly considering starting with two up front.
Watford possible starting lineup:
Foster; Femenia, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue; Hughes, Deulofeu; Welbeck, Gray
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku; Rice; Antonio, Lanzini, Anderson; Haller, Hernandez
Head To Head
Saturday afternoon's game will be the 46th meeting between the two sides, with West Ham currently leading the way with 27 wins compared to Watford's 12.
Although the Hammers ran out 4-1 winners at Vicarage Road the last time these sides met at the end of last season, the Hornets have more Premier League wins against them than any other side in the competition.
The last 8 meetings between these sides have yielded 25 goals, so expect plenty more goalmouth action once again.
We say: Watford 2-2 West Ham
These sides always seem to bring out the best in each other and that should be no different this weekend as the away side welcome back a number of big names. Watford should score their first goals of the season and get their first point, but another slow start will probably cost them all three.
body check tags ::
