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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

11 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

The visitors looking comfortable on the ball, they've seen more of it so far, Azpilicueta takes a shot from outside the box and Durbravka cleans up

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:12

10 mins: GOAL! Fulham 1 - 1 Burnley - Hendrick

Jeff Hendrick gives Burnely the equaliser with a left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box, the ball flies past the goal keeper and finishes in the top left hand corner

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:12

15 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea 

Quarter of an hour gone at St James' Park, Alonso fires a low cross into the box and wins a corner, Hazard delivers the ball and it falls to Rudiger after several attempts to clear the ball, the Chelsea defender swipes at it with his right foot but the ball goes way, way wide  

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:17

19 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Hazard clashes with Diame and goes down again, he looks to have a niggle and he limps off the pitch, It doesn't look too serious and Hazard's back on

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:22

24 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Newcastle have set themselves up well defensively but Hazard receives the ball on the edge of the box, he fires a shot early but sends it past the right hand post

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:25

27 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Newcastle move forward first with Yedlin who links with Rondon well, they follow it up with a cross into the striker but David Luiz clears it away 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:29

29 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea 

Hazard links with Morata again, they've worked well so far, and the Belgian makes space for himself but drags his shot wide of the goal

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:31

34 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Free kick for Newcastle in a dangerous area, Azpilicueta heads away the first ball but the home side whip a follow up in from the left and Rondon is there... but his header is off target

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:34

37 mins: Newcastle  0 - 0 Chelsea

Kante wins the ball on the right of Newcastle's area he passes to Pedro who runs inside and shoots with the left foot but it's wide. The blues follow that up with another penetrating play, Hazard running into the box creating space for Pedro who strikes another left footed shot that's saved by Dubravka

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:37

36 mins: GOAL! Fulham 2 - 1 Burnley - Mitrovic

Fulham take the lead again courtesy of an Aleksandar Mitrovic header into the bottom right corner. Tom Cairney with the assist from a corner.

Michael Jones26 August 2018 16:37

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