Having picked up just one win in their last five league games, Javi Gracia’s Watford have slipped to the 12th place in the points table, just nine points off the drop zone. But they have enough quality to start climbing up the table, starting this weekend when they travel to Kirklees to take on a Huddersfield Town side, who are 16th in the points table.
The Terriers are winless in their last five games and are fresh from a 1-1 draw to Brighton. They have a decent squad, and playing at home, will believe that they can take more than just a point from this game. The Hornets can move closer to the top half of the table and will want to finish this season on a high. But they will have to be at their best to take all three points from this game and here is the predicted lineup Gracia might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, Watford are still without the services of Gerard Deulofeu, Tom Cleverly, Younes Kaboul and Nathaniel Chalobah, all of who are long-term absentees. Christian Kabasele is finally back in training and could make it to the bench this weekend.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
Orestis Karnezis has now turned into the first choice GK for Gracia and is expected to keep his place in the side under the bar against Huddersfield Town. Sebastian Prodl and Adrian Mariappa have been effective at the back this season and should retain their places at the heart of the defence, giving Watford some stability at the back.
Daryl Janmaat has been a regular at right-back while Jose Holebas might keep his place at left-back to complete Watford’s backline.
Midfield:
Gracia has not had to look further than Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure for his midfield options recently. Both players have been in superb form this season and complement each other and will be the danger man for the Terriers in this tie.
Attack:
Watford have loads of options for most roles in the attack but Troy Deeney is their best option to lead the line. He is expected to keep his place in the side while Roberto Pereyra, who picked up a goal in the last round will start on the left flank.
Kiko Femenia has been effective on the right flank in attack and should start there while Richarlison, who has lost his place in the first team recently, might replace Will Hughes in a no.10 role this weekend.
Here is how they might line up:
