After a pale finish to the previous season, Javi Gracia will be ecstatic with the way his side have started the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Watford beat the Seagulls in the first game of the season at home and then travelled to Turf Moor to steal another three points, standing as one of the six teams to win both their games. And they have a chance to continue that run this weekend when they welcome Crystal Palace to Vicarage Road.
The Eagles beat Fulham on the road on the opening weekend but fell to a loss at Selhurst Park to Liverpool last week. Roy Hodgson has a decent squad at his disposal and could prove to be a tough team to beat.
The Watford manager named an unchanged lineup for the last game and has no reason to make a one for this game. Here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Watford – Team News
In early team news, Ben Wilmot, Younes Kaboul and Tom Cleverly remain on the long-term injury list at the club. Stefano Okaka and Nathaniel Chalobah are fit but not match fit and might take another week to make the bench.
Expected Watford lineup (4-2-2-2)
Defence
The experience of Ben Foster, who has conceded just one goal so far this season, will be important for Watford all season. He will remain the first choice for Gracia this weekend.
Christian Kabasele and Craig Cathcart have both looked comfortable at the back, but have not really been tested. The likes of Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha will surely be their biggest test so far this season. They will start at the heart of the defence for the hosts for this game.
With nine clearances in two games to add to two assists, Jose Holebas has been effective at left-back and will start there while Daryl Janmaat, who has four tackles and seven interceptions already this season, will look to do more of the same work, at right back.
Midfield
Arguably Watford’s best midfielder at the moment, Etienne Capoue six tackles and four interceptions to his name and his industry will be important for Watford to not be exposed at the back. Abdoulaye Doucoure with a passing accuracy of 83% will look to link the midfield and the attack, keeping the pressure on the visitors.
Just in front of this duo, Gracia has used Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes in free-floating roles, adding a different dimension to their attack. While Hughes is happy to add numbers to defence, as shown with the 12 tackles he has won this season, the most by any player at the club, Roberto Pereyra who has s passing accuracy of 80% along with two goals and three key passes, will add strength to the attacks.
Attack
With a goal and an assist to his name this season, Troy Deeney has been effective in a strike partnership, alongside Andre Gray, with both players complementing each other’s style of play.
The duo have won seven aerial duels already this season and could test the likes of Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins this weekend.
Here is how they might line up:
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com