Brentford vs Watford Match Preview
Watford head to Griffin Park tonight to play Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship, in what will be a top six clash between both clubs who both have promotion ambitions.
The Hornets come in to the match in 6th place, off the back of a morale boosting 1-0 win over Blackburn at Vicarage Road on Saturday, where the Golden Boys grinded out a victory when they weren’t at their best. A win against the Bees this evening could send them move into 4th position in the table if other results go their way. Brentford come into the game sitting in 4th position in the Championship table following a 0-1 away victory against Leeds on Saturday.
During the match between the two sides earlier this season, a spectacular volley from Matej Vydra sealed a 2-1 victory over Brentford for the Golden Boys. Odion Ighalo had put the Hornets in front in the first-half, slotting home the rebound after missing a penalty, before Jonathan Douglas equalised early on in the second half. Vydra sealed the points with his goal-of-the-season contender in the 70th minute, whilst Daniel Pudil was sent off for Watford in injury time.
Brentford are managed by Mark Warburton, who has done a magnificent job as manager since taking over in December 2013. Warburton gave up his job as a city trader in order to pursue a career in coaching, starting off as a coach in Watford’s academy. He left the Hornets to join Brentford, where he has withheld numerous coaching positions as well as being Sporting Director, before he became manager of the Bees last year. He guided the London club to promotion last season, and they seem to have carried on where they left off in League 1, with Brentford now seen as serious promotion contenders, having been in and around the play offs for the majority of the season.
The key player for Brentford tonight will be Alex Pritchard. The on loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been in superb form for the Bees this season, scoring 6 goals in 29 appearances since joining on a season-long-loan at the start of the 2014/15 season.
Tonight’s game is a crucial one for the Hornets. They come in to the match tonight, and a win over one of their promotion rivals will send out a message to the rest of the teams in the division. Three points could see the Golden Boys move into 4th position, and with Bournemouth playing Derby this evening, Watford could also close the game to the automatic promotion in positions. The Hornets will have to put in a more improved performance then they did against Blackburn, if they want to secure the three points and enhance their chances of promotion.
Team News.
For Brentford, right back Alan McCormack is pushing for a start after recovering from surgery on his ankle. Alan Judge and Lewis Macleod are ruled out.
For Watford, Gianni Munari is the Hornets only new injury concern after he picked up a foot injury against Blackburn and is rated as a doubt for tonight’s game. Joel Ekstrand and Sean Murray are both ruled out. Almen Abdi and Fernando Forestieri are both available after featuring on the bench for the Hornets on Saturday.
Predicted Team Line-ups.
Brentford – Button (GK), Odubajo, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell, Toral, Diagouraga, Douglas ©, Pritchard, Gray, Dallas,
Watford – Gomes (GK), Cathcart, Angella, Hoban, Layun, Tozser, Abdi, Watson, Anya, Deeney ©, Ighalo
Referee – Keith Stroud.