None of the usual match thread posters around.. so I have put this up... please log in to view this image From the Standard: please log in to view this image On fire: Ighalo will look to continue his recent run of form Mark Runnacles/Getty Images Watford take on Crystal Palace for the first time since the 2013 Playoff Final, when veteran striker Kevin Phillips took the Eagles to the Premier League. It may have taken the Hornets longer to join the south London side in the top flight, but Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have been making a solid impression since their return to the league. Back-to-back victories have drawn Watford level with Palace, whose breathless early march up the league has been held back by tight defeats to top sides. And Alan Pardew is confident that after a tough opening six fixtures his side are well placed to capitalise ahead of a more gentle run of matches, perhaps even securing a place in the top half. To do so they will need to find a way past a miserly Watford defence, who have conceded just five goals in six league games. With Odion Ighalo starting to fire at the other end could they make it three wins from three? Scroll down as Standard Sport examines everything Palace and Watford fans need to know ahead of the big match. please log in to view this image Date, time and venue Crystal Palace will take on Watford at Vicarage Road at 4pm on Sunday 27 September. Where to watch Coverage of the match will be part of Sky Sport’s Super Sunday from 3:30pm. You can also follow Standard Sport’s live coverage of the event from Sunday. please log in to view this image Form and recent encounters Watford have started their first season in the Premier League since 2007 in strong style, and find themselves settled in mid-table, in 10th place six games into the campaign. That is largely thanks to their last two games, where Watford have defeated Swansea and Newcastle. Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Steve McClaren’s side was largely thanks to an outstanding performance from Ighalo, who netted both goals with Troy Deeney playing an important role in creating them. The Hornets are now level on points with Crystal Palace, but the visitors find themselves two places above thanks to a superior goal difference. Considering their tough start to the season, which has included games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, this represents an excellent start to the season and Pardew will be keen to push on in the weeks ahead. please log in to view this image Troy Deeney urges Watford team-mates to remain grounded Both of their most recent games against City and Spurs ended in 1-0 defeats, with Palace holding firm and playing positive football before being undone by second-half strikes. Palace and Watford’s last meeting came in May 2013 in football’s most lucrative fixture, the Championship Playoff final. Ian Holloway’s side thoroughly deserved an extra-time win that took them back into the top flight, forcing Watford to wait two more years to join them. Team news The visitors will still be without first-choice striker Connor Wickham for their trip to Vicarage Road, but their major issues could come in defence. Both Scott Dann and Damien Delaney will require late fitness tests to determine their readiness. “Some times you have to experiment with what you think might work as a manager and we've got a good idea for this game." Alan Pardew Dwight Gayle scored a hat-trick in the midweek derby victory over Charlton Athletic in the League Cup and may be given a chance to prove himself in the Premier League. Watford will be without Valon Behrami, who is serving a suspension, but Chelsea loanee Nathan Ake may start his first game of the season in defence, according to his coach. Up front Ighalo will be looking to celebrate his new contract by adding to his four league goals, whilst Deeney will hope his opponent, and former teammate at Walsall, Dann overcomes his injury worries for what should be a combustible reunion. Watford possible XI: Gomes, Nyom, Prodl, Ake, Anya, Abdi, Capoue, Watson, Jurado, Deeney, Ighalo Crystal Palace possible XI: McCarthy, Kelly, Hangeland, Dann, Souare, Cabaye, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Gayle please log in to view this image What they’re saying Flores: “We feel confident but we must respect Crystal Palace. They have achieved very good results away from home. “Crystal Palace are very quick offensively and have players who are very clever at using space. They will come with a high spirit so if we want to win we will have to play very well.” please log in to view this image Pardew: “We haven't scored for two [league] games and I need people who can score goals. We've played a [certain] system and that's something we're looking at going forward. “Some times you have to experiment with what you think might work as a manager and we've got a good idea for this game, we think it will work for us.” Match odds (William Hill) Watford are favourites to make it three wins on the bounce with odds of 6/4, against Palace’s 2/1. The draw is priced at 21/10. The Score? Yorkie's wager: 2-1 Come on You Horns!!!
Good man, Yorkie. May be off to watch on Sky with a mate in the village who is a part time 'Orn. But the MS is winning at the moment, it may have to be back to bed with Hornet Player. COYH!
Enjoy this my friend: http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10006418/deeney-and-ighalo-take-the-reins Our not-so-secret weapons
I'm really getting to like Troy as a man- watching him on the 'behind the scenes' vids on Hornet Player he has an easy way with everyone, he's great with the youngsters and he looks like a leader. Never thought it would come to that when he first appeared at the club.
Good stuff Yorkie,i'll be pinging in and out of here this afternoon. For those that miss the match (somehow ?) and for future reference I highly recommend the following site,quicker than Sky and MOTD for highlights or indeed the whole match which is usually added within an hour of the final whistle....oh for the days of a dodgy audio link via the club Player eh. http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com
A few questions.. How's Prince Harry getting on (thats Ben Watson btw,watched him since way back when he came through our Youth to Full side),lovely passer but so unlucky with injuries. Adlene not playing ?,really liked him when with us but too many in front of him for the midfield slots,one of Holloways last minute deals when we came up. Finally,hows Doyley ?,a good old fashioned pro that always had eventful matches with us.
Watson is really playing quite well Adlene is currently subbing... very popular here... will no doubt get a few starts too Doyley recovering from neck injury... playing in the under-21s to assess .... don't think he will play for us again... they may keep him on in another role.. or if not prob got a season or two in the lower leagues... another hugely popular player Our team changed massively since the play-off season... one of the sad things about football for me.... some excellent players gone...
Apologies Yorkie, never got the chance to do it and should have mentioned it. Cracking thread by you though Hard to call but would love it to be a good game to make the viewing public realise exactly what we are about. Oh and credit to Palace - they're on the way to establishing the sort of top flight stability we probably all aspire to.
Stability is indeed the key,the money on offer for staying up this season being paid out next season is just bonkers,we need to rebuild Selhurst and thats where it'll be going hopefully,we've spent a million on the pitch this summer alone...mind you yours is not looking too bad today.
Crystal Palace starting XI: Hennessey; Kelly, Dann, Hangeland, Souare; Ledley, Cabaye; Puncheon, Sako, Bolasie; Gayle.
WatfordFC XI to face #CPFC: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Prödl, Anya; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Deeney Jurado; Ighalo
Looking at the line ups I expect Puncheon and Cabaye to swap placed and i'll predict a tight 1-2 to the mighty Eagles. Enjoy the match and i'll be back this evening with my thoughts.
No worries This is one we really mustn't lose if we are aspiring to comfort in this league.... will be very interesting to see how it goes COYH!
C'mon u 'orns. I need one. This weekend so far: hero Jens had a terrible GP, England lost the rugger, and my local team here in Spain, Sporting Gijon went down 2-1 at home. Something must come good. Enjoy one and all.
Not a good game but I won't go back to sleep. Palace have looked more dangerous than us. We seem to be aimlessly pumping balls forward with no result.
Man City were better... but Palace are def good and have got the measure of us... either team can win this... we need a special move... last balls in have been a bit poor for each side..
