Watford vs Nottingham Forest Match Preview.
Nottingham Forest are the visitors to Vicarage Road tonight in the Sky Bet Championship, in what will be another tough test for the Golden Boys. The games come quick and fast in the Championship and tonight’s game will be a whole different ball game compared to the Hornets 0-3 away victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Watford come into the match at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table with 24 points whilst Nottingham Forest lie in 5th position after their 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City on Saturday.
During the two matches between these sides last season, Lewis McGugan scored a thumping free kick against his former side in a eventful 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road in August last year, whilst Forest came back from two gaols down to beat the Hornets 4-2 at the City Ground in January.
Former England Under 21 and Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce is in charge at the City Ground and he has hit the ground running with Forest who have started off the 2014/15 season in good form. The Reds were unbeaten before last Saturday and were on top of the Championship table for a period of time.
Pearce splashed the cash in the summer transfer window so to speak, landing former Watford striker Britt Assomabalonga for £5 million as well as Sheffield Wednesday winger Michail Antonio for a seven figure fee. Moreover, Forest also added former Birmingham winger Chris Burke as well as Hull City striker Matty Fryatt and also secured Crystal Palace defender Jack Hunt on loan.
Former Hornet Britt Assomabalonga will be a threat for the Reds tonight, with the striker scoring nine goals for the club since joining from Peterborough in the summer. The pacy striker left Watford to join Peterborough before the start of the 2013/14 season for a seven figure fee after playing four times for the Golden Boys. His form in League 1 persuaded Forest to part with a believe £5 million pounds and the striker has hit the ground running, scoring nine goals for the club this year.
Another key player for Forest tonight will be winger Michail Antonio. The speedy winger will cause the defender numerous amount of problems with his pace and trickery and also has an eye for goal as well after netting five goals in the league this season.
Forest will prove to be a tough test for the Hornets tonight and they will arguably their hardest opponents that they have faced this season. Watford will have to be at their best if they want to overcome the Reds and cement their place in first place in the Sky Bet Championship.
Team News.
For Watford, Ikechi Anya is fit and will be included in the match day 18. Troy Deeney came through his substitute appearance on Saturday unscathed and could start. Craig Cathcart and Keith Andrews are out although they will return to training on Wednesday. Gabriele Angelle and Gabriel Tamas are out.
For Nottingham Forest, midfielder Henri Lansbury is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. The Reds are without Andy Reid as well as Chris Cohen through injury.
Predicted Line-up.
Watford – Gomes, Doyley, Bassong, Ekstrand, Pudil, Abdi, Tozser, Munari, Forestieri, Deeney, Vydra.
Referee – Dean Whitestone.