PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Despite not yet facing each other in the Premier League this season, the two sides have met in the League Cup. A late Ashley Fletcher goal was enough to see Watford through on that occasion.
They also came together in a pre-season friendly in summer 2021, with Palace running out 3-1 winners before taking to the 21/22 top-flight.
The last time the two sides met in the league Jordan Ayew was the hero, scoring the only goal at Selhurst Park against a Will Hughes-inspired Watford.
PREVIEW
Defeat to Chelsea was harsh on Palace and Vieira, after the hosts looked the better side for much of the afternoon. The Eagles created chances on either side of half-time as their solid midfield display forced changes from Thomas Tuchel, but conceded in the 90th-minute to Hakim Ziyech.
“It was really close – that is why I’m disappointed for the players,” Vieira told Palace TV after the game. “I think the performance today deserved some points. The frustration is that if you don’t win that game, you shouldn’t lose it.”
However defeat to the European – and world – champions is nothing to be ashamed of, and Vieira will hope the positive performance at Selhurst Park can be carried through to Watford on Wednesday.
Initially set to take place during the festive period but postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, this later date means Palace will come up against a familiar face in the opposition dugout.
The League Cup defeat at Vicarage Road in August came at the end of Xisco Muñoz’s tenure, and with Claudio Ranieri having come and gone in the meantime it is Hodgson’s Watford that await in midweek.
Having managed the Eagles for four years before Vieira’s arrival this summer, it is sure to be a poignant moment for Hodgson and for Palace as they meet again for the first time.
The Hornets’ boss has his work cut out to keep Watford in the Premier League, with the Hertfordshire side finding themselves four points adrift of Newcastle and safety in 18th place; Burnley are just a point behind having played two games fewer.
However, a hugely impressive victory at Villa Park was a crucial boost to their survival hopes, with Emmanuel Dennis the hero.
Palace will be keen to arrest a recent run of form on the road that has seen missed opportunities for victory at Norwich and Brentford, and could overtake both Aston Villa and Leicester City with victory.
TACTICAL OVERVIEW
Despite the late defeat, Palace performed well against Chelsea in a tweaked system, with Cheikhou Kouyaté and James McArthur playing together in midfield and Michael Olise occupying the No.10 position.
Conor Gallagher’s potential return means Vieira may switch back to the more often used 4-3-3.
There is also a decision to be made up front, with Wilfried Zaha leading the line on Saturday but Odsonne Edouard, Christian Benteke and Jean-Philippe Mateta all available to come into the side.
For Hodgson, the challenge will be to get the best out of a talented attacking unit that includes Dennis, Ismaila Sarr and Josh King, while not leaving themselves exposed to Palace’s fearsome forward line.
It could be a busy evening for Ben Foster, with Watford having faced 31 shots in their last two games.
MATCH DETAILS
- Wednesday, 23rd February
- 18:30 GMT
- Vicarage Road
- Live audio commentary on Palace TV+
HOW TO FOLLOW
ON PALACE TV+
Live audio commentary Watford v Palace will be available on Palace TV+, a subscription service which gives subscribers live access to selected Academy match broadcasts, live audio commentary of all league and cup first-team games, and much more.
Find out more by clicking here.
SOCIAL MEDIA
You can check out our Instagram story for all of the pre-match build-up and our official Twitter page is bringing you up-to-the-minute match updates, eye-catching photos and more.
Our club website, cpfc.co.uk, is the place to go for team news on the dot, an instant report and all the post-match votes.
THE OFFICIAL APP
The official Palace app’s match centre is the place to be for everything you need during the Watford clash. With live stats and alerts, a running match commentary feed and lineups the moment they’re released as well as an instant match report and post-match reaction from Palace TV+, there’s no need to leave the app to follow the Eagles’ efforts.
