Watford have scored 27 Premier League goals this season, but prior to kick-off had an expected goals figure of 35.7.

That means, based on the quality of chances they’ve had, they have scored eight fewer goals than should be expected - the biggest negative difference in the league this season.

It was a similar story for the visitors in that first half. Will that continue to be the case?

The players are on their way back out.

The whistle goes and that's all for the first half.

Crystal Palace take a slender lead into the break and are on course for a third successive 1-0 victory in the Premier League.

Watford have been the better side for large parts of the match but have failed to punish the hosts.

Crystal Palace deal with it comfortably once again. That should be about that for the first half...

Watford maintain the pressure at the end of the half and earn a corner but Christian Benteke is back to clear at the front post.

It's another corner for Watford though...

Cheikhou Kouyate is doing a very efficient job of hoovering up any danger in front of the Crystal Palace back four so far and is again present to clear up after Troy Deeney fails to connect with Kiko Femenia's cross from the right.

Wilfried Zaha goes down under a challenge by Will Hughes which infuriates the Watford players.

It's all getting a little heated as we head towards the interval.

Wilfried Zaha gets a yellow card for pulling the shirt of Etienne Capoue.

He's certainly not happy about that one.

The fouls are beginning to creep in here.

Roberto Pereyra reaches to control a long ball over the top but just can't get a touch on the ball to prod it past Vicente Guiata.

It comes to nothing as Patrick van Aanholt tries his luck from range but can't get the ball beyond the first Watford defender.

Crystal Palace earn three corners in quick succession.

They've wasted the first two. What can James McCarthy do with this one?

Ismaila Sarr sends a cross in from the right which is easily dealt with by Scott Dann as Palace stand firm.

Still no way through for Watford...

Can Watford respond to that set-back?

The Hornets have been much the better side in the opening half an hour but find themselves behind at Selhurst Park.

While Crystal Palace do sit a comfortable nine points clear of trouble, here's one concerning statistic for Roy Hodgson's side.

After 14 home league games this season the Eagles have managed to score just 11 times.

That makes them the lowest scorers at home in the Premier League this campaign.

Good work from Wilfried Zaha down the left for Palace.

The winger finds Patrick van Aanholt inside the area but the left-back's attempted cross is blocked and actually comes back off him for a goal-kick.

Better from the hosts but they are still yet to get going here.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

There’s so much quality on the pitch for Watford and they have so much belief, but they are happy to sit in like they did against Liverpool.

Will Hughes is able to open up some space outside the area for a shot, but he drags his weak shot wide of the target after some patient Watford passing.

Crystal Palace can't keep hold of the ball at the moment.

Watford can't quite find that killer touch in front of goal so far, as once again there's chaos in the Palace area.

Ismaila Sarr is the spark for Watford once again, with his ball into the middle initially cut out and neither Troy Deeney nor Abdoulaye Doucoure are able to produce the finish with the hosts struggling to boot the ball clear.

Ismaila Sarr breaks at speed down the right flank and nobody can keep up with him.

That's true for his own team-mates too, as the winger sends in a low cross which is easily cleared by Palace.

Good chance for Watford!

Abdoulaye Doucoure is somehow able to wriggle his way through the Palace defence and fires a shot which is straight at Vicente Guaita from a tight angle.

Ismaila Sarr then fires in a follow-up shot but his attempt travels wide past the far post.