Huddersfield Town take on Watford at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday in a game that could be crucial for Town’s fight for Premier League survival.
Here’s some information about Town’s opposition, “The Hornets”.
Watford’s season so far
Watford were one of this season’s surprise packages in the early stages. They picked up some good results and played nice football, with new signing Richarlison scoring and assisting on a regular basis, and then-manager Marco Silva being hailed as the next big thing.
While Watford have spent most of the season in the top half, their recent dip in form has seen them drop to twelfth place. Marco Silva is long gone, and Richarlison hasn’t hit the heights he achieved earlier in the season. They’ve not won in their last four games, so will be looking to get back to winning ways against Town.
Watford’s potential starting XI
The Mad about EPL blog has predicted this lineup. It looks about right but I’d say it’s debatable whether Will Hughes will make way for Richarlison. The Brazilian has struggled for form lately and could be distracted by speculation in the press about him being moving to a big club in the summer.
Troy Deeney is a big awkward kind of striker that can punish defenders, but I think this is the kind of physical challenge Zanka and Schindler are usually able to manage. It’s pace and trickery that often undoes our defence rather than strength.
The manager: Javi Gracia
I was surprised when Watford parted ways with Marco Silva in January, as he was highly rated and had got Watford playing some nice football. Results had dipped at the time, and it was well known that Silva’s head had been turned by the interest in him from Everton, despite them ultimately appointing Sam Allardyce.
Javi Garcia took the reins at Watford on 21 January this year on an 18-month contract. The shortness of the contract and the fact he’d been out of work since the summer of 2017 gives me the impression he was a cheap option for the Watford board. He’s managed a variety of Spanish teams in his managerial career, as well as most-recently being in charge of Rubin Kazan in Russia.
Player to watch: Robert Pereyra
Pereyra was Watford’s best player in their last match, scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Burnley. Watford were a little bit unlucky to lose last weekend, and their most dangerous attacking play seemed to all come through Pereyra, who was quick on the break and looked skilful with the ball at his feet.
He’s only started 14 games this season, but he’s currently come into form, so I’d expect him to make the starting XI for Watford on Saturday. Richarlison has grabbed the headlines this season for Watford but he’s been off the boil for a little while now, so I’m most concerned about the damage Pereyra can do. Town’s defenders will need to keep an eye on him.
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Huddersfield Town v Watford history
Huddersfield Town have played Watford 27 times in their history, with Town winning 13, losing 9 and drawing 5. The first meeting of the two teams was in 1969, which ended in a 1-1 draw in the old Division Two.
The most recent game was obviously the reverse of Saturday’s game, with Town beating Watford 4-1. There was a red card for Watford’s Troy Deeney in the 33 minute which helped Town, but we were already 2-0 and dominant at that point. It was our second away win at that point, after Town beat Palace on the opening day we had to wait until mid December for the next victory on the road.