The Hornets fans are off their seats as Ismaila Sarr sets off along the touchline.

He dinks the ball into the Palace box but James Tomkins makes the clearance.

The chance disappears but with nearly a quarter of an hour gone, this match is warming up nicely.

Ping.

Etienne Capoue spreads the ball wide with expert precision to Kiko Femenía, who controls it on his chest before picking out Ismaila Sarr in the box.

He side-foots the ball towards goal but it's a comfortable save for Vicente Guaita.

Chance.

Andros Townsend whips in a ball into the Watford box. It's a loose clearance by a yellow shirt and the ball falls to James McArthur, but his shot is wide.

Palace, who have won nine of their 16 Premier League away matches in 2019, are just starting to control possession, but Watford steal it back momentarily.

Troy Deeney has an opportunity inside the area but James Tomkins is on hand to sniff out the danger and block the shot.

After that initial burst by the Hornets, the game has settled down now as possession changes hands.

Both sides are trying to box clever in the opening exchanges.

Watford are straight onto the front foot and Tory Deeney spreads a delicious ball over the top for Ismaila Sarr, but James Tomkins is in quickly to prevent the shot.

Bright start.

And we're underway...

Right then, the players have followed the officials out onto the pitch and we're all set to go.

Kick off is just moments away...

The new Hornets boss has just been presented to the crowd at Vicarage Road.

Nigel Pearson was welcomed with warm cheers before giving the supporters a lap of appreciation.

He will officially start on Monday, with a trip to Liverpool his first game, but Hayden Mullins takes charge today.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It looks like Watford's interim manager Hayden Mullins will still be in charge for this game as the Hornets search for their third manager of the season.

This is a tough game for Mullins, because Crystal Palace are going great at the moment.

But Watford are at home, and the fact they are going to appoint someone soon might bring something extra out of their players. They might be wondering who is watching.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

If you're tuning into this game expecting goals, you may be disappointed.

Watford (9) and Palace (14) are the two lowest scoring sides in the Premier League.

It'll probably be a high scoring thriller now...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

As always, you can have YOUR say by Tweeting using #bbcfootball or by sending a text to 81111 (UK only).

We'll be sharing your best comments throughout the afternoon.

Just in case you missed the big news from Vicarage Road this week, Nigel Pearson will take charge of Watford after today's game.

The former Leicester boss has been appointed until the end of the season.

The 56-year-old is Watford's third manager of the season following Quique Sanchez Flores' sacking on Sunday after less than 90 days in charge.

You can read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Watford make two changes as Christian Kabasele and Roberto Pereyra return from hamstring injuries. They replace Adrian Mariappa and Will Hughes.

Watford XI: Foster, Kabasele, Femenía, Cathcart, Masina, Sarr, Doucouré, Capoue, Pereya, Deulofeu, Deeney.Subs: Gomes, Chalobah, Mariappa, Foulquier, Gray, Success, Hughes.

Image source, .

Gary Cahill returns for Crystal Palace, replacing the suspended Mamadou Sakho. It is one3 of two changes for the visitors with Jeffrey Schlupp in for Patrick van Aanholt at left-back.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Kelly, Cahill, Tomkins, Schlupp, McArthur, Kouyate, Milivojevic, Townsend, Zaha, Ayew.Subs: Hennessey, Riedewald, Dann, Camarasa, McCarthy, Wickham, Benteke.

Image source, .