Watford vs Crystal Palace – Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 23/02/22, Team News and Lineups

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Roy Hodgson welcomes his former side Crystal Palace to Vicarage Road as they face his new side Watford. Which team will come away with all three points? Read our free predictions and betting picks for the game here.

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Bookmaker Ratings prediction one: Full-Time Result – Watford to win – 3.2

Bookmaker Ratings prediction two: Both teams to score – No – 1.91

? Roy Hodgson is used to facing old clubs during his managerial career.

See more key facts and stats ahead of #WATCRY in Stats Buzz! ?⤵️

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) February 22, 2022

Watford to win

Watford have improved lately under their new boss, Roy Hodgson, claiming four points from a possible 12 during his time there so far, while Crystal Palace are winless in their last six league matches and have only scored five goals in that span.

Both teams to score – No

Both teams scoring has not occurred in Watford’s last five league matches. Palace are struggling for goals, Watford have only kept two clean sheets all season, however, these have both come in the four matches since Hodgson took charge.

“I think the foundations of this football club are really solid and I think Roy was one of the people who put those in place to allow the next manager to come and work.” ?#CPFC

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 22, 2022

Preliminary review and match prediction for Watford vs Crystal Palace

A few games ago, Watford alongside Newcastle United, Burnley and Norwich City were the four teams cut adrift at the bottom of the table, and it looked certain to be three of these four sides dropping to the Championship at the end of the season.

Although Watford are four points away from 17th position, there are positives to take from the Hornets’ first four games of the Hodgson era.

Watford have picked up four points from their last four games compared to just one point in their previous eight. The Hornets have also shored up defensively keeping two clean sheets during this time.

Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis both started in the weekend’s win over Aston Villa for the first time since Watford’s 4-1 win over Manchester United on 20 November 2021, the Hornets hadn’t won since that game until Saturday.

For Crystal Palace a win here could be essential. On 26 points so far in the league, the Eagles look safe enough for now.

However, the improved form of the bottom four sides and the inability of the sides just above them – including Palace – to pick up points could see them dragged into a relegation battle.

The South Londoners have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net lately. Much of this could be down to boss Patrick Vieira’s inability to settle on a front three with him interchanging players in and out for most of the season.

Get Rich Quick

Watford are 3.2 to win this match, however, if you want to increase the odds even more, William Hill is offering an enhanced price of 5.5 for Watford to win and Dennis to score anytime.

Only Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Raheem Sterling have scored more than the nine league goals Dennis has so far. If Watford are going to win, it is highly likely Dennis will have something to do with it.

Watford vs Crystal Palace Team News

Hodgson hopes to have Joao Pedro, Juraj Kucka and Peter Etebo available for selection, however, Samir and Nicolas Nkoulou will miss out.

Conor Gallagher will be available after missing the defeat on the weekend to his parent club Chelsea. Goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita, had to go off at half-time due to a knee injury, it remains to be seen if he will play against Watford.

Possible Starting Lineups

Watford: Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Kabasele, Kamara, Sissoko, Louza, Cleverley, Sarr, King, Dennis

Crystal Palace: Butland, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Gallagher, Hughes, Kouyate, Olise, Edouard, Zaha

Highlighted Player – Ismaila Sarr

The return of Sarr from African Cup of Nations victory with Senegal and also injury prior to that is no doubt a welcome boost for the Hornets. Sarr missed nearly three months of action for Watford and the Hornets didn’t win a league game during that period.

The winger had scored five goals prior to his absence and also assisted Dennis’ winner against Villa. Now that Watford have shored things up at the back, there may be less pressure on Sarr and Dennis to produce in front of goal, allowing them both to truly flourish.