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As it happenedended

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

63 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Newcastle make it to the halfway line in their most recent attack but once again they give away a foul, Chelsea keep possession again just in front of the 18-yard box, Azpilicueta whips a cross in but Morata is offside

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:21

68 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Morata and Pedro are off for Chelsea as they call on Giroud and Willian to make an impact in this game, a goal could open the game up for an exciting last 20 minutes.

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:26

70 minutes: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Free kick for Chelsea, Willian targets Kovacic in the box but Diame clears it away 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:27

72 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

Rudiger wakes everyone up from their slumber as he fires a long strike from outside the area forcing Dubravka into a diving save but it beats the goalkeeper and rattles against the crossbar.

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:29

75 mins: Newcastle 0 - 0 Chelsea

PENALTY! 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:32

76 mins: GOAL! Newcastle 0 - 1 Chelsea - Hazard

Hazard scores the penalty after Alonso went down in the area Schar sliding in a getting the ball before connecting with the Chelsea man. Another reason why VAR would have been useful here

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:32

80 mins: Fulham 3 - 2 Burnley

Understandably the tempo has mellowed in this second half at Craven Cottage, Fulham still lead by one going into the last ten minutes.

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:39

82 mins: GOAL! Newcastle 1 - 1 Chelsea - Joselu

Joselu levels for Newcastle, Yedlin gets the ball on the right wing and elbows Giroud in the process, the Chelsea defenders go to sleep waiting for a whistle that never comes and Yedlin finds Joselu on the near post who tucks the ball away with ease. 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:40

86 mins: GOAL! Newcastle 1 - 2 Chelsea - Yedlin OG

Chelsea are back in front, Alonso recives the ball in the box and shoots with a low right footed shot, Yedlin sticks out a toe and the ball is deflected into the back of the net. 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:43

83 mins: GOAL! Fulham 4 - 2 Burnley - Schurrle

André Schürrle's right footed shot from the centre of the box finds the bottom left corner and Fulham take a two goal advantage. 

Michael Jones26 August 2018 17:44

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