Watford

• Watford have won each of their past five league games against Norwich. Their longest winning run came against Ipswich, with six victories between 2005 and 2008.

• Norwich have won just one of their last eight away league games against Watford (drawn two, lost five), winning 3-0 in the Championship in February 2015.

• Norwich have won just three of their past 29 away league games played on a Friday (drawn eight, lost18), a run stretching back to 1967.

• Watford have lost each of their last four home league games, last losing more at Vicarage Road between October and December 2013 in the Championship (5).

Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton and Statman Dave are back for your weekly dose of fantasy football advice in the Fantasy 606 podcast.

This week they discuss all the "luck" around at the moment due to postponements in the Premier League, as well as if Aston Villa players could be the way forward for your fantasy team.

Remember, the deadline for this week is 18:30 GMT on Friday.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, EPA

Claudio Ranieri is counting on Watford supporters to be the twelfth man when they host Norwich on Friday night.

The Hornets are one point above Dean Smith's side with two games in hand, but defeat for Ranieri's side would see them drop into the bottom three for the first time this season.

When asked about the importance of Friday's game, the Italian said: "It's another clash between two teams who want to stay in the Premier League.

"We need the support of our crowd. We need the passion. We need everything. I'm sure we'll do a very good match.

"We have to win but we don’t want to lose. It’s a very important match for us, for them and it is a very good match for the Premier League also."

The Hornets are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, but Ranieri said that isn't a priority.

"If we win, the clean sheet can wait. It's not important, now we need points. And also, if we score one more goal than our opponents it's ok," he said.

"It’s the right pressure. I am used to working with the normal pressure and in Watford I put myself in the pressure because I want to save Watford as soon as possible."

Claudio Ranieri has been speaking to the media before Watford host Norwich on Friday.

Here's what he had to say:

• There are no fresh injury concerns, with Peter Etebo and Kwadwo Baah back training outside and progressing well.

• Ranieri said facing Norwich is a big game and is "another clash between two teams who want to stay in the Premier League". He added: "We have to win, but we don’t want to lose".

• Ranieri said Watford are relying on their fans and "we need the passion. We need everything".

• On how important it is to get a clean sheet, Ranieri said: "If we win, the clean sheet can wait. Now we need the points."

• On potential signings, Ranieri said he has an open mind and "until the end of the market anything could happen".

• On links with Samuel Kalu, Ranieri said nothing is 100%, but "if the club think it's good for us we are ready to train with him".

• Ranieri said he likes Liverpool's Nat Phillips a lot, but added "we are very full of defenders".

• Norwich will be confident after beating Everton, but Ranieri said "we come with confidence after drawing with Newcastle and I think it will be a very good match".

Image source, Getty Images

We're past the midway point of the January transfer window, so here's your latest round-up of the latest Watford transfer gossip to drop:

• Watford are interested in signing Nantes midfielder Ludovic Blas, who has scored eight goals so far in Ligue 1 this season. (Star), external

• The Hornets also have their eye on Sampdoria's Norway midfielder Morten Thorsby. (Gazetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

• Rangers left-back Borna Barisic has confirmed a club made a move for him earlier in the transfer window, amid rumours linking the Croatia international with a switch to Watford. (Sky Sports), external

You can also get all the best transfer chat via our gossip column here and track every done deal throughout January here.

What do you make of Watford's transfer window so far? Let us know here.

Catch up with all the latest transfer news by tuning into BBC Radio 5 Live's Transfer Gossip Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Watford host Norwich City in the Premier League on Friday, but who will make it into Claudio Ranieri's starting XI?

The Canaries won their last match and would leapfrog the Hornets out of the relegation zone with a win - so which players will stop that happening?

It's up to you how to approach it - you could go for the team you WANT the boss to pick or the one you THINK he will.

Either way, it's time to choose your Hornets team to face Norwich

Five Premier League matches and the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg between Liverpool and Arsenal are the BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries on offer this week.

• Tuesday, 18 January – Brighton v Chelsea (20:00)

• Thursday, 20 January – Arsenal v Liverpool (19:45)

• Friday, 21 January – Watford v Norwich (20:00)

• Saturday, 22 January – Manchester United v West Ham (15:00)

• Sunday, 23 January – Crystal Palace v Liverpool (14:00)

• Sunday, 23 January – Chelsea v Tottenham (16:30)

All times are GMT

Image source, Getty Images

Lee: The transfers so far are sound and will hopefully bolster our leaky defence. We could also do with another strong defender and a creative, top class midfield but that's easier to say than find at this time of the season. I just hope Ranieri is given the whole sesson to sort this out.

Ray: Watford should have strengthened the defence in the summer. However, their January business is the right approach on limited funds. Samir and Kamara are strong pacy defenders and Kayembe is an energetic box-to-box midfielder. We already have players to score goals but must improve the defence to have a chance of staying up. Next games are crucial.

Agree? Disagree? Have your say here

Watch all the highlights from Saturday's five matches in the Premier League, plus the best moments from Brighton v Crystal Palace on Friday.

Watch Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

After Watford rescued a much-needed point against fellow relegation strugglers Newcastle United on Saturday, we want to know how you are feeling about the Hornets' survival hopes this season?

Do you feel confident they can beat the drop and stay in the Premier League?

Maybe you are still not sure which way the campaign will go?

Or are you certain the club are heading back down to the Championship?

Use our slider tool to let us know

Image source, PA Media

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri says he does not know if having games in hand is an advantage as he prepares his team for a vital bottom-of-the-table match against Burnley on Tuesday.

The Clarets have only played 17 games this season – relegation rivals Norwich have played 21 – after a number of their fixtures have been postponed over the past six weeks.

But Ranieri, whose Hornets team have played 19 games, is not concerned the integrity of the league is under threat.

“It could be an advantage and for others it could not,” he said. “They are the rules. If we have to play three matches in six days, we play three matches in six days. That’s it.”

There has been increased scrutiny on Premier League postponements in the wake of Arsenal’s game with Tottenham being called off, but Ranieri refused to comment on the situation at other clubs.

“I am not a lawyer, I am just a manager,” he said. “There is a match and we have to play. It is a strange life with Covid - not only for sport, but for everyone.

“We are lucky, we stay with good health.”

How you feeling about Watford's season so far? Have your say over here

Watford visit Burnley on Tuesday as their huge week at the bottom of the Premier League table continues, but who will make it into Claudio Ranieri's starting XI?

After drawing with Newcastle on Saturday, the Hornets could open a six-point gap over the Clarets with victory.

So which players are you backing to get the job done?

It's time to choose Watford team to face Burnley

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Claudio Ranieri has been speaking to the media about the match against Burnley on Tuesday.

Here are the key points:

• He is expecting a tough match at Turf Moor: “They are very solid. It will be a battle. They are one of the best teams to put the ball in the opposition box”.

• There are no fresh injuries or Covid issues so it will be a similar squad to the one at Newcastle on Saturday.

• Ranieri praised Pedro who scored the equaliser at St James’ Park. “He’s young, he has to improve but he’s one of the best young players in the Premier League”.

• Watford come up against another side below them in the relegation zone: “It’s important we don’t lose the game. We must make another good match with effort and passion”.

• Ranieri was happy with how his three new signings handled their first Premier League experience. “[It was as though] they played with us for years. It was amazing. I think we are more solid.”

• He was asked about Burnley having four games in hand on some teams after a swathe of postponements in the last six weeks: “I can’t say if it’s an advantage or not. When we stopped for Covid we lost our rhythm and fitness and everything. It is a strange life with Covid, not only for sport but for everyone. We are lucky, we stay with good health.”

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Watford left it late at Newcastle but the equaliser in the final moments prevented the Hornets dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season. It was a hugely significant point reflected in Watford’s celebrations and Newcastle’s dejection.

Joao Pedro deserved his moment. The Brazilian is blessed with natural, silky talent and glides across the pitch the way Thierry Henry used to dazzle us.

But his header showed another side to him and proves the youngster is learning. His persistence and determination to win the aerial duel was evidence he is up for the battle of this brilliantly hostile and brutal Premier League.

Pedro wasn’t the only positive. Watford were forced into handing out three debuts.

Sometimes for Hornets fans it feels a bit like a lucky dip when it comes to signings; you’re not quite sure what you’re going to get although you assume they should be good considering their CVs. But many can’t cope with the demands of the Premier League.

All three experienced it for the first time in a cauldron of intimidation and intensity in front of 50,000 Geordies screaming from the gallows. It takes some temperament to deal with that and all three stood up.

Centre-half Samir (with the help of Craig Cathcart) coped well against new signing Chris Wood and played with intelligence. Full-back Hassane Kamara was assured and lively down the left and forced Ryan Fraser off.

But probably the pick of a very good bunch was Edo Kayembe as the holding midfielder. Energetic, confident on the ball, possessing nice balance and technique; it’s too early to go overboard but his game looks ideal for the Premier League.

So part one of the trilogy of relegation matches done. Draw at Burnley on Tuesday and beat Norwich on Friday and it’s job done.

Image source, Getty Images

• Newcastle have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, at least three more than any other side. 

• Watford remain the only side in England’s top four tiers without a league clean sheet this season. The Hornets have conceded in each of their last 29 Premier League matches since a 3-0 win against Liverpool in February 2020.

• The Magpies have scored the first goal in 10 different Premier League games this season, but have only gone on to win one of those (drawn six, lost three).

• All five of Allan Saint-Maximin’s Premier League goals for Newcastle this season have come in home games – no player has scored more in the competition this term without scoring away from home.

Alistair Magowan, BBC Sport

This latest setback for Newcastle will lead to more questions about their ability to avoid the drop so soon after a takeover that was supposed to send the club heading in the opposite direction.

There have been new owners, a new manager, the signing of England full-back Kieran Trippier, plus the arrival of £25m striker Chris Wood, who made an uninspiring debut despite a couple of half-chances.

But they are yet to see a bounce to move them above their relegation rivals, and once again their fallibility in central defence was exposed.

The bitter pill for Newcastle fans was in stark contrast to the delight for Watford fans in snatching a point after a scrappy affair that could have been easily filed as a relegation dogfight.

But for Claudio Ranieri's side, who included three new signings in Hassane Kamara, Samir and Edo Kayembe, and had Ben Foster, Emmanuel Dennis and Josh King back in the line-up, it was reward for their perseverance.

They looked like they would pay for several wasted chances from a counter-attacking approach that caused Newcastle problems - but their physical, rapid striking duo of Joao Pedro and King had the last laugh in front of the Gallowgate End.