HUDDERSFIELD return to home soil, following two solid 3-1 away victories over Sheffield Wednesday & Blackpool; aiming for top spot in the Championship!
The Terriers have taken everyone by surprise with their start to the season and they head into today’s game as favourites for the first time this season.
Jermaine Beckford, the latest addition to the squad, is available for today’s game, but it will remain to be seen if he starts or has to be content with a place on the bench.
Adam Hammill is still struggling with a knee injury and there were a few other knocks picked up against Blackpool, that Simon Grayson is keeping tightly under wraps.
Should everyone be fit and unchanged starting XI is most likely with many Town fans hoping that Lee Novak retains his place after scoring 2 in 2.
Watford head to The Johns Smiths Stadium in search of three points also, new manager Gianfranco Zola has not enjoyed the best of starts with Watford currently sitting 20th with 7 points.
Zola will also be looking for a marked improvement after a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Derby in their last outing, they also lost against Bolton & Brighton, putting them on a 3 game losing run.
Watford are also yet to keep a clean sheet on the road since March 31st, that game ironically was in West Yorkshire in a 2-0 victory over Leeds United
Let’s hope that continues today!
Vital Quotes: Simon Grayson
“We have started the season very well and we should really go into every game as the underdogs because we are new to the division, but by producing the performances that we have recently the profile and expectance level of the team has raised,” said Simon.
“Despite that, the players need to carry out every instruction that they are given, like they have done for the first seven games of the season. We can`t just turn up and expect to beat Watford because of our league position; this is probably going to be our hardest game. We are probably going to be very slight favourites, but we can`t forget that they have got a lot of good international players within their squad. “
He continued: “The players have been told that they can`t let their standards slip, if anything they have to go through the roof to increase our level of performance. It is a big incentive for the players to know that they could go top with a victory. For the individuals within the team their biggest incentive is to play well and keep their shirt. They know that if they under-perform then someone will take their place for the Leicester game.”
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Jermaine Beckford hoping for a home debut.
Adam Hammill expected to miss out again with the knee injury he is carrying.
Joel Lynch is suspended and Anthony Gerrard will continue to deputise.
Keith Southern is set to make his 300th career league appearance today.
Player to watch: Oliver Norwood
Instrumental in recent games and with Watford’s reported weakness at set pieces could be a good day for the Town midfielder.
Watford Team News:
Jonathan Hogg, Troy Deeney and Fitz Hall are all expected to start for Watford
Player to watch: Troy Deeney
Recently freed from Prison, the striker made a first appearance of the season from the bench in the 5-1 defeat to Derby. He could be set to start today and the striker is a slippery customer
Match Facts & Stats
? Huddersfield boast a 50% winning record against Watford, having triumphed in 10 of 20 competitive matches; nine of 18 in the league.
? Watford recorded a 2-1 victory on their last visit to the West Yorkshire club, in August 2000 at second league level.
? It was only the second away league victory in their history over the Terriers.
Match Prediction:
Huddersfield 3-1 Watford.
Next Fixtures:
Leicester City (H) Tuesday 2 October 19:45
Have you looked up our stats for this article!? Deeney made his first appearance from the bench last week in the 2-2 against Bristol City. The Derby games was a month ago!