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Watford vs Crystal Palace - LIVE: Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, head-to-head, odds and more

All the latest from Vicarage Road

Michael Jones
Sunday 26 August 2018 15:03 BST
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Watford 2018/19 Premier League profile

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An unbeaten Watford side welcome Crystal Palace this weekend in their third game of the Premier League. Watford’s unbeaten start comes after a convincing 3-1 away win against Burnley and a season opening 2-0 win against Brighton.

Javi Gracia’s side who have brought in 8 new, squad deepening players notably Gerard Deulofeu on a permanent transfer after his successes of last season for the Hornets whilst being on loan. Watford who got off to a great start to the season last year will be hoping to replicate the successes and push towards the higher end of the table after slipping down to 14th from an early placed 7th.

Roy Hodgson replaces a dilemma upfront as an inconsistent Christian Benteke could be forced out of the first XI after a disappointing performance against his old club Liverpool on Monday night. Possible replacements include Ayew, new boy Meyer and Sorloth. Another positions Hodgson faces difficulty with this week is Right-back. This comes after a late last man challenge on Mohammed Salah earnt Aaron Wan-Bissaka a red card and a one-match ban.

We will have all the latest from Vicarage Road right here:


Preview

What time does it start?

Watford vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 1.30pm on Sunday 26 August at Vicarage Road.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 12.30pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the game online via the SkyGo app.

It’s a big game for?

Roberto Pereyra: The 27 year old Argentine scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Brighton on the first day of the season. He impressed fans last season scoring 5 goals and making 3 assists for Watford. Pereyra looks at home under Gracia’s new system which Pereyra is used to playing in as it is similar to that of his old club Udinese.

Roberto Pereyra scored for Watford in their 2-1 win against Brighton
Roberto Pereyra scored for Watford in their 2-1 win against Brighton (Getty Images)

Stat?

5: Crystal Palace are undefeated in their last five away matches

Remember when…

Crystal Palace have a handy knack of beating Watford in big matches. The Eagles have twice been victories in Wembley meetings in the last few years, beating Watford in the 2012/13 final and the 2015/16 FA Cup semi-final.

Player to watch…

Wilfred Zaha: Wilfred seems to be an example of the term ‘you get better with age’. Each season you don’t think he can perform any better but somehow at the turn of each new season he seems to be getting better and more influential to the Palace side. Perhaps one of Manchester United’s biggest regrets. Letting Zaha go was a bad idea. Having scored on the first day of the season against Fulham, and also coming close on numerous occasions against Liverpool, Zaha could be labelled as Palace’s best player. This was shown also against Liverpool on Monday night. Even though the result didn’t go his way.

Past three-meetings…

Watford 0 Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, April 2018

Crystal Palace 2 (Sako, McArthur) Watford 1 (Janmaat), Premier League, December 2017

Crystal Palace 1 (Deeney OG) Watford 0, Premier League, March 2017

Odds…

Watford to win: 3/2

Crystal Palace to win: 2/1

Draw: 9/4

Prediction...

Watford 2 Crystal Palace 1

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Sunday's Premier League action.

First up it's Watford vs Crystal Palace before Fulham vs Burnley and Newcastle vs Chelsea.

We will have all the latest build-up and action from all three so don't touch that dial.

Ben Burrows26 August 2018 11:57

First up today Watford host Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road, with the Hornets looking to extend their winning start to the season after overcoming Brighton and Burnley in the first two weeks.

As for Palace they'll be looking to put Monday nights defeat to Liverpool behind them and focus on a game where three points are definitely up for grabs.

Kick off at 1.30pm

Michael Jones26 August 2018 12:31

And now for the teams, here's how Watford line up 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 12:39

And this is the Palace starting XI 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 12:41

Crystal Palace are looking to get back to winning ways, how important will this man be?  

Michael Jones26 August 2018 12:57

A win today would see Watford equal their best ever start to a Premier League season with three wins from three,

Head coach Javi Gracia spoke to the media about it: "It is always important to start well, but we have played only two games and they are only two important wins.

"We need to keep calm and know bad results will arrive in the future. We are going to play against a Palace side with two good strikers who play on the counter attack.

"You have to adapt to different things like we did in the other games we played."

Michael Jones26 August 2018 13:06

Christian Benteke scored 3 times in 31 fixtures last season, can he start his goal tally for this year today? 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 13:20

The teams walk out onto the pitch into the wind and the rain, kick off is 5 minutes away!

Michael Jones26 August 2018 13:27

KICK OFF: Watford 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

Watford start the action hitting the ball long before winning it back in their own half, the ball finds it's way out to Pereyra on the left and he crosses the ball into the box but it's slightly off target going behind the oncoming strikers and out for a goal kick

Michael Jones26 August 2018 13:32

4 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

Palace see more of the ball, Zaha gaining possession in mid-field to a chorus of boos from the Watford fans before Capoue brings him down for a free kick. 

He gets a yellow card for his trouble 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 13:34

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