Match Preview: Norwich City vs Watford.
Watford head to Carrow Road tonight to face Norwich City in the Premier League, in what will be the Hornets' last away game of the season.
A win for Watford tonight will see the Canaries relegated to the Championship, after just one season back in the top flight following their promotion via the play-offs last season.
The Hornets come into this game following a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend, where they played reasonably well but were made to poor for poor finishing and two poor pieces of defending for both of the Reds' goals.
As a result, the Golden Boys slipped one place to 13th in the table, although a win tonight could see them climb to 11th spot in the league.
In the meeting between the two sides earlier this season at Vicarage Road, it was Watford who ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. Troy Deeney put the Hornets ahead in the first half from the penalty spot, before Odion Ighalo sealed the points late on, as he calmly stroked the pall past Declan Rudd whilst under pressure from Sebastien Bassong.
It has proven to be a difficult season for the Canaries back in the top-flight, with Alex Neil's men struggling at the wrong end of the table for the majority of the season.
A defeat at the weekend against Manchester United has left the East Anglian side with a mountain to climb if they are to remain in the top flight. They are now relying on both Sunderland and Newcastle to slip up, although if they don't win tonight, then their fate will almost certainly be sealed.
The key player for the Canaries will undoubtedly be England Under 21 international, Nathan Redmond.
Redmond has been a rare shining light for the Canaries this season, with his pace causing sides problems all seasons. He is certainly one of the brightest English prospects in the top flight and has proven that he can cause any side problems on his day.
He has proven he can score goals at the top level this season and is currently Norwich's top goal-scorer with 5. He also has two assists to his name so far this season. If Watford want any chance of winning tonight's game, then they need to ensure that they keep Redmond quiet.
In my view, tonight's game is one we need to be winning. Norwich are a side that have struggled all season in the Premier League and it is important in this division that you take points off of the teams around you and below you in the table.
Furthermore, going into the final two games of the season, it is so important to record as many points as we can in order to build some momentum ahead of next season. We have already recorded seven points from our last five games which is a decent tally, however you only have to look at Leicester to see how important it is that you finish a season as strongly as you can.
Tonight's game is one that we need to be taking points from. However, the Hornets will need to improve on their last two performances against Aston Villa and Liverpool if they want to take all three points, as the Canaries will almost certainly be right up for tonight's game, as they hope to keep their slim chances of staying in the Premier League alive.
Hopefully, Watford will be able to get the job done on the pitch and return to Hertfordshire with those important three points.
Team News
For Norwich, Ryan Bennett is available, after he missed Saturday's defeat to Manchester United through illness. Johnny Howson, however, will not be fit enough to feature and looks set to miss the rest of the season through injury. Timm Klose and Andre Wisdom have also been ruled out for the rest of the season.
For Watford, Quique Sanchez Flores will be without both Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami who have both been ruled out for the rest of the season. Miguel Britos is also thought to be a doubt.
Predicted team line-ups -
Norwich - Ruddy (GK), Pinto, Martin ©, Bennett, Olsson, O'Neil, Dorrans, Redmond, Hoolahan, Brady, Mbokani.
Watford - Gomes (GK), Nyom, Cathcart, Prodl, Anya, Abdi, Suarez, Watson, Amrabat, Deeney ©, Ighalo.
Referee - Roger East