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Crystal Palace are looking to keep four consecutive league clean sheets at home for the first time since December 2012 when they were in the Championship; only the top two have conceded fewer goals than Palace since the start of February. Watford have won just three of their last 11 visits to Selhurst Park.
Both teams to score NO is 4/5.
Crystal Palace to win and both teams to score No is 7/4.
Wilfried Zaha has scored five career goals against Watford, only netting against Leicester and Brighton more frequently. He is 5/1 to break the deadlock and 8/5 to score anytime.
Match preview
Will this be the day Watford’s relegation is confirmed?
Last weekend, the Hornets conceded twice in the final seven minutes, so were beaten 2-1 by Burnley at Vicarage Road.
Only one club in the 134-year history of the Football League have endured a longer streak of successive home defeats.
That club is Rochdale A.F.C. who lost 13 consecutive home matches in the Third Division North back in the 1931/32 season.
The Dale ended that campaign with just 11 points, but were given a reprieve from relegation because Wigan Borough F.C. folded mid-season.
90 years on, Watford will not be saved from relegation and, having lost five on the bounce, today could be the day the die is cast.
With Roy Hodgson’s team 12 points from safety with just four games to go, failure to win this one would see them return to the Championship.
This would signal the Hornets’ fourth Premier League relegation, with only record-breakers Norwich and West Brom having endured more.
Given all of that, Crystal Palace will very much fancy their chances of another victory.
Last weekend, the Eagles came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s.
Eberechi Eze equalising before Wilfried Zaha slotted home a stoppage time winner, sparking wild celebrations in the away section behind that goal.
Patrick Vieira’s side have moved up to 12th by virtue of that victory, having only lost two of their last nine.
However, they’re looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time since beating Manchester City and Wolves back in October/November time.
Nevertheless, given that they swatted Watford aside 4-1 at Vicarage Road in February, Palace fans will be confident of another three points here.
Crystal Palace team news
Eberechi Eze’s goal at Southampton last week was his first since May last year, having been out with a horrible Achilles tendon injury in-between.
Wilfried Zaha came off the bench to bag the winner in that one, but will surely return to the stating XI this week.
Michael Olise could also return, completing an exciting attacking trio, supporting lone front man Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Not forgetting Conor Gallagher who scored one of his eight Premier League goals this season at Watford in February.
Just behind, James McArthur could continue to anchor midfield, chosen over Will Hughes, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Luka Milivojević.
Tyrick Mitchell is likely to return at left-back with either Joel Ward or Nathaniel Clyne dropping out.
Watford team news
Roy Hodgson does have some brilliant attacking individuals in his squad, but just eight different players have scored for Watford this season.
Only Arsenal (1993/94), Fulham (2001/02), and Burnley (2014/15) have had fewer in a single campaign.
Three players who have scored, Ismaïla Sarr, João Pedro and top-scorer Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis, could continue to lead the attack.
Samir and Hassane Kamara have both been solid since arriving in January, but it hasn’t been enough to prevent an already sinking ship from the doldrums.
Ben Foster has conceded 25 goals in 15 league and FA Cup appearances against Palace, including four earlier this season.
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