Watford

Mark Lawrenson takes on one half of Bob Vylan duo and Arsenal fan Bobbie Vylan in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

It's nice that Watford boss Roy Hodgson is going back to Selhurst Park in the week that he has announced this will be his final season in management.

He will get a great reception but it won't go as far as Crystal Palace allowing him to leave with the points.

The Hornets have lost their past five games and are on the brink of going back down to the Championship. It's just a matter of when their relegation will be confirmed.

Bobbie's prediction: 3-0

Palace don't have anything to play for but they should get the job done here. A lot of managers don't get given enough time to implement something really different when they come into clubs, but Patrick Vieira has managed it already in his first season as Eagles boss. Palace are a team that scares everyone now.

Find out how Lawro and Bobbie think the rest of the weekend's Premier League fixtures will go

Wilfried Zaha may return to the Palace starting line-up after scoring the winner last week against Southampton.

Manager Patrick Vieira says some academy players could feature before the end of the season.

Watford will assess Tom Cleverley and Craig Cathcart, who both missed the defeat by Burnley because of injury and illness respectively.

Manager Roy Hodgson is suffering from shingles but is expected to be in the dugout on his return to Selhurst Park.

Pick your Eagles XI

Choose and share your Hornets side

Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton and Statman Dave discuss the latest from the world of fantasy football.

They ask whether it is finally time to play your bench boost chip and look ahead to the double gameweek.

European football expert Julien Laurens joins the podcast to chat about the season and play a game of Sutton Death against Dave.

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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Roy Hodgson revealed he is still suffering from the shingles which saw him miss last week's media duties.

Ray Lewington took the 74-year-old's place in the Burnley pre and post-match news conferences and Hodgson admitted he still isn't fully recovered.

He said: "I'm suffering from shingles, so in actual fact I wasn't actually supposed to be at the game. I wasn't well for a start.

"I'm still not well, it really doesn't go away in a couple of days but I'm working and trying to get to it.

"My eye is 10 times better than it was on Saturday when it was really like a balloon and my face was swollen.

He added: "Yes (I am on the mend) but I'm not right, I'm not sure how long it will take. It's one of those things that people don't know, it could last for a week or even months.

"I've got a very bad headache all the time, like now I've got a very bad headache and my face is still a bit of a mess, but I'm trying to get on with it as best I can."

Image source, PA Media

Roy Hodgson admits Watford "need more than a miracle" to stay in the Premier League but still believes the Hornets are in good shape as they contemplate an immediate return to the Championship.

Hodgson's side are 12 points from safety with four games left and would be relegated if they fail to win against Crystal Palace on Saturday or both Leeds and Burnley pick up points this weekend.

"The writing is certainly on the wall," he said. "We would need more than a miracle so I don't think it's correct even to start suggesting and giving people false hope.

"But the club is strong. There are a lot of very good things at this football club and a big squad of players.

"We haven't seen the best of them and maybe there's a lot more to come."

Hodgson revealed he was suffering from shingles and is not targeting another manager job when his contract expires at the end of the season.

"I still feel lively enough to do something," he said. "But I wouldn't go as far as to say I would be looking for another job."

Roy Hodgson has been speaking to the media before Watford’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hodgson will check the fitness of Craig Cathcart and Tom Cleverley after they missed last week’s defeat to Burnley. Both are back in training, as is Cucho Hernandez, who has started outside running again.

• He also revealed he is suffering from shingles and "wasn't really supposed to be at" the game last weekend.

• The boss admits Watford “need more than a miracle” to stay up: “I don’t think it’s correct even to start suggesting it and giving people false hope.”

• On the Hornets' recent form: "We’ve been competitive and I think we could have taken more points than we have in plenty of games. They’ve got to show pride and that they are good players.”

• On opponents Crystal Palace and Patrick Vieira, his successor as Eagles boss: “They are dangerous in attack and he has done excellently. They are full of running.”

• Crystal Palace are looking to complete their first league double over Watford since the 2011-12 Championship campaign, following their 4-1 win at Vicarage Road in February.

• This will be Watford’s 110th league meeting with Crystal Palace, making them the side they have faced the joint-most times in their league history (also 110 vs QPR and Bournemouth). They’ve lost 47 of their previous 109 against the Eagles, only being defeated more against QPR (49).

• The Eagles have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three home league games. They have never kept four in a row at Selhurst Park in the Premier League, last doing so in any division in the Championship in December 2012.

• The Hornets have won one of their last 29 league matches against London sides (D7 L21), a 1-0 home win over Millwall in April 2021. In the top flight, they have lost 14 matches in a row against teams from the capital, the longest losing run against London teams in top-flight history.

Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign Watford and Senegal attacker Ismaila Sarr, with the Hornets wanting £40m for the 24-year-old. (Football Transfers), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Watford could be relegated this weekend regardless of the result at Selhurst Park but need a win to stand any chance of staying up.

So who should Roy Hodgson trust to get the points at his former club?

Cucho Hernandez has returned to training but is doubtful so do you stick with the side that ran out of steam against Burnley last week?

Or should Hodgson bring in some fresh legs to try to get a result?

Pick your Watford XI

Image source, Getty Images

• Manchester City and Liverpool are already assured of their top-four places. If either club wins this season's Champions League, there is no 'extra' place for English clubs.

• West Ham cannot make the top four but if they win the Europa League, they will also play in the Champions League group stage.

• Even if Chelsea lose the FA Cup final, the Blues will play in the Europa League as they cannot now finish lower than fifth.

• Arsenal are guaranteed a place in the Europa League, as they can’t finish below sixth.

• If Leicester win the Europa Conference League, they will qualify for the Europa League group stage.

You can now watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's six matches in the Premier League.

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Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Watford fans were fed up again on Saturday as they watched their side throw away a lead in the last seven minutes and lose their 11th match in a row at Vicarage Road. Supporters left shaking their heads in frustration and annoyance; the pain is increasing with every defeat at the Vic.

Burnley scoring those two goals at the end came as little surprise. Watford defended so deep right from the start of the second half that they invited the pressure. The introduction of Ashley Barnes added some aggression and spite to the visitors up front - a substitution which handsomely paid off. 

That Clarets change made Watford’s decision not to bring on any subs even more baffling. It was a strange situation. Boss Roy Hodgson was unwell but in the dug out. However, he kept a very low profile and it was unclear who was actually leading the team and making decisions - him or assistant Ray Lewington?

Whoever it was had an off day. Burnley had threatened all half and seemed bound to score. Yet no fresh legs came on, nor did anyone come on to address the issue of how deep they were playing.

Were the Watford management pair simply taking a huge risk and hoping to see it out? Do they rate the subs so little that they didn’t want any of them on? Were they making a point to the board that the squad isn’t good enough? We’ll never know.

What we do know is that this team lack confidence, leadership, character and commitment especially when the going gets tough. Dropping down to the Championship will be easier but the Hornets have many, many issues to resolve in the overall running of the club.

Image source, Getty Images

• Watford have lost each of their past 11 Premier League games at Vicarage Road, becoming the first side in English top-flight history to lose 11 consecutive home league matches.

• Burnley have won three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April 2019, while the Clarets have won as many league games in their past three matches as they had done in their previous 21 combined.

• The Hornets have conceded in each of their previous 22 Premier League home games, becoming the first top-flight side to do so since Queens Park Rangers (22 games between August 1968 and August 1973).

• Michael Jackson is the first Burnley manager to win three of their first four league games in charge since Jimmy Mullen in October 1991 (won 4 of 4).

Image source, Reuters

Matthew Howarth, BBC Sport

Before Saturday, the only side in the top four tiers of English football to have lost more than 10 consecutive home league games were Rochdale, who suffered 14 straight defeats in Division Three North between 1931 and 1932.

Watford’s loss to Burnley was their 11th in a row on home soil and leaves the Hornets staring at an immediate return to the Championship.

It was all going so well for Roy Hodgson’s team, who were full of energy in the early stages and could have added to James Tarkowski's own goal.

However, a combination of poor passing on the counter-attack and wasteful finishing set up a tense finish as Burnley slowly turned the screw.

Jack Cork’s header deservedly hauled the Clarets back on level terms, before Josh Brownhill’s low strike sparked jubilant scenes among the visiting fans and in the away dugout at Vicarage Road.

This is the first time Burnley have won three Premier League games in a row since 2019, while Mike Jackson also becomes the first manager to stay unbeaten in his first four top-flight matches in charge of the Clarets.

The last manager not to lose any of their first four league games with the club was Owen Coyle in 2007.

Watford assistant boss Ray Lewington, speaking to Match of the Day: "I thought we brought it on ourselves because we played ever so well first half, but because we have not won in so long there is a massive fear factor.

"Footballers try to protect it, they have seen the clock and the last 15-20 minutes they were almost camped on the edge of our own box. If you are allowing balls into the box, however many players you have behind the ball, there will be space somewhere.

"It would need something spectacular [to stay up] but there is more to play for than the points, we have got to play for our pride."

On boss Roy Hodgson: "He has been unwell, he is OK but needed some rest really - he will be fine and I imagine he will be in on Monday."

We are bringing you live text and radio commentary of Watford v Burnley, plus the rest of Saturday's Premier League action.

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You'll be able to catch up with all the post-match reaction on this page after full-time at Vicarage Road

Watford make three changes to the team that lost 5-1 at Manchester City last weekend.

Juraj Kucka and Kiko Femenia return after missing the trip to Etihad Stadium through injury, while Joao Pedro is also restored to the side.

Jeremy Ngakia and Joshua King are among the substitutes, but Tom Cleverley misses out.

Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Kabasele, Samir, Kamara, Sissoko, Louza, Kucka, Sarr, Joao Pedro, Dennis

Subs: Bachmann, Ngakia, Ekong, King, Masina, Sema, Gosling, Kalu, Kayembe

Aaron Lennon returns for Burnley, while Matej Vydra also keeps his place after Jay Rodriguez suffered an injury during the warm-up at Vicarage Road.

Maxwel Cornet is ruled out with a knee issue, while Erik Pieters is only set to resume full training next week.

Burnley XI: Pope, Roberts, Collins, Tarkowski, Taylor, McNeil, Cork, Brownhill, Lennon, Rodriguez, Weghorst

Subs: Hennessey, Lowton, Barnes, Stephens, Bardsley, Vydra, Long, Thomas, Costelloe

Mark Lawrenson takes on Arsenal fan and one half of Chase and Status Will Kennard in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Watford's home form is obviously awful - they have lost 10 in a row at Vicarage Road - but they haven't played badly in all of those games.

In their last home game, against Brentford, they only lost out in injury time and after coming close to nicking a late goal themselves.

You can probably see where I'm going here. I'm not being anti-Burnley either, I just feel Watford will win a game at some point and the best chance of that happening is going to be on Saturday, against the team one place above them.

Will's prediction: 0-1

This could be massive for Burnley, and they are playing pretty well.

Find out how Will and Lawro think the rest of the weekend's Premier League games will go

Image source, Getty Images

Watford welcome back Juraj Kucka and Kiko Femenia, both of whom missed the defeat at Manchester City through injury.

Burnley will monitor Maxwell Cornet, who is nursing a minor knee issue.

A calf problem forced Jay Rodriguez off against Wolves but he has trained this week and should be in contention.

This game is expected to come too soon for Erik Pieters, who is set to resume full training next week.

Ben Mee, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Ashley Westwood remain sidelined.

Do Kucka and Femenia return to your Watford line-up?

Choose your Clarets XI