Middlesbrough - Watford TEAM NEWS Middlesbroughâs temporary manager Mark Venus has no injuries and can choose from a full squad.The defender Jonathan Woodgate will probably stay in the team after starting in the last two games . He is free of his calf injury.George Thorne who is on loan at Watford from West Bromwich Albion may start his first match. Almen Abdi (foot), Tommie Hoban (ankle) are joined by Joel Ekstrand on the injured bench but defender Nyron Nosworthy is close to returning from an Achilles. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head ⢠Watford like the Riverside Stadium and are trying to win the third match in their five visits. ⢠Middlesbrough have 13 victories and Watford 12 in the 30 league matches the clubs have played since first meeting in 1966. ⢠Now former Hornet Matej Vydra scored twice in Watford's victory at the Riverside last season to avenge Middlesbroughâs win in Watford. Matej was sent off in the home defeat, something that will not occur in this game. Middlesbrough facts ⢠Mark Venus has had one victory and one defeat in his two matches as manager. ⢠Middlesbrough are attempting to win their third match in five, currently they have two wins, one draw and one defeat. ⢠The Riversiders may only be 16th in the table but they still boast the most lethal home attack in the division with 15 goals buried in seven games, and are undefeated in six in front of their home supporters. ⢠'Boro have recouped a joint divisional-high eight points from losing positions. ⢠But all three of Middlesbrough's victories this term have been against clubs beneath them in the bottom eight. Watford facts ⢠A draw would give Watford 100 points from the matches with Gianfranco Zola in charge. ⢠The Watford team has scored more goals in the first 15 minutes of Championship games and in the last 15 minutes, 6 and 7. ⢠The Hornets are looking to win for the first time in since beating Huddersfield. ⢠Their six victories have been against clubs positioned below them in the table. As there was no thread I have writen one.
Cheers for the thread AK. I was at both those 1966 matches when we first played Boro - hope we don't repeat the scoreline from the corresponding fixture, nor the goalkeeper injury.
It looks a fine effort to me Ak, may I wish all you hornets very good luck, bring home the three points! #3pointsforWatfordFC
I really hope to see some changes to the starting 11 and I hope for a better performance with some and passion from the team. I'd take a draw with a good performance to be honest. Fingers crossed, we need to get back on track coming up to the busy Christmas period. COYH COYH COYH Cheers for the great thread AK
I think we'll come out all guns blazing after last weekend's effort and put in much improved performance. A 3-1 win.
thanks Ak Early start for me tomorrow, breakfast in Watford before we get the train...i never get the train, maybe that'll bring us luck! lol (anything that helps is good ) obviously going for a 1-3...and hoping for a hattrick from Fessi COYH!!!
Nice one AK - 5 *'s from me. Not a easy game to follow on from that dismal display last Saturday. It will a measure of how well Zola can lift the team and get them playing the way we know they can. I am going for a 1-1 draw...enjoy the train H, best way to go to away games - load up with beer and peanuts and watch the north fly by!
Team news... Almunia; Cassetti, Angella, Doyley; Faraoni, Murray, Iriney, McGugan, Pudil; Deeney, Forestieri. Subs: Bond (GK), Belkalem, Anya, Battocchio, McEachran, Fabbrini, Acuna.
Afternoon all, back from the city and ready to go. Started out with bright sunshine this morning, but has gone downhill and is now tipping it down. Hope that our game doesn't follow the same pattern.
Teams just coming out. A good following of Watford fans. Connor Smith has joined Jon Marks this afternoon.
