Watford will look to maintain their excellent run of form when they host Southampton at the Vicarage Road on Tuesday.
The Hornets have won three out of their last four matches in all competitions and collecting all three points against the Saints could help them move ahead of seventh-placed Everton on the league table.
Watford team news
Troy Deeney (suspended), Sebastian Prodl (knee), Tom Cleverley (calf), Domingos Quina (shoulder) and Jose Holebas (hamstring) will miss tonight’s match against the Saints.
Roberto Pereyra and Adalberto Penaranda are fit to feature but the latter is unlikely to start.
Predicted Watford lineup vs Southampton
Defence
Gracia is likely to rotate his squad after a strenuous win against Huddersfield Town in the last game, meaning we could expect the return of Daryl Janmaat in the right-back position, at the expense of Kiko Femenia.
Adam Masina, however, will retain his place on the opposite flank, due to the absence of key defender Holebas. The Italian defender will face a much tougher task this week, against a much more accomplished Southampton attack.
Christian Kabasele is also pushing for a start as Gracia seeks to keep his players fresh in the midst of a congested schedule. Thus, the Belgian defender could replace Adrian Mariappa at the heart of Watford’s four-man backline. Kabasele will be partnered by Craig Cathcart, who has become a vital part of the Watford defence this season.
Ben Foster will keep his place in goal, looking to notch up his eighth clean sheet of the campaign.
Midfield
Minimal changes are expected in midfield, with Gracia lacking resources, especially with Cleverley facing a spell on the sidelines. Therefore, the Spaniard could resort to his trusted midfield duo of Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure in the double-pivot.
Capoue will be tasked with the responsibility of nullifying the threat of James Ward-Prowse while Doucoure will look to exert pressure on the Southampton midfielders with his robust and dynamic runs in midfield.
Attack
Roberto Pereyra is poised to make his return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, meaning Ken Sema might have to settle for a place on the bench in this one.
Pereyra will be partnered by Will Hughes in the wide attacking positions while the Watford attack will be spearheaded by the duo of Andre Gray and Gerard Deulofeu, whose brace against Huddersfield earned all three points for his side.
