90min

Watford predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace - Premier League

By Jamie Spencer

Watford boss Roy Hodgson hosts former club Crystal Palace this week
Watford boss Roy Hodgson hosts former club Crystal Palace this week / Alex Livesey/GettyImages
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Watford host Crystal Palace in the Premier League this week, hoping to win back-to-back games after recording a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at the weekend.

This game was originally supposed to be played a week before Christmas but was postponed due to Covid-19 concerns and has finally been rescheduled.

Watford know that a win won't pulled them out of the relegation zone, although it will get them to within one point of both Newcastle and Everton above them.

As Roy Hodgson prepares to meet his former club, this is the starting XI he could pick...

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Ben Foster is looking for back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season
Ben Foster is looking for back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season / James Williamson - AMA/GettyImages

Ben Foster (GK) - His only two Premier League clean sheets of the season have come in the last four games, but he shut out Palace in the Carabao Cup.

Kiko Femenia (RB) - Has started each of the last five league outings after being relegated to the bench during the festive period.

Craig Cathcart (CB) - 90 minutes under his belt in every game since Hodgson arrived.

Samir (CB) - A late injury against Aston Villa isn't expected to keep the Brazilian out of this one.

Hassane Kamara (LB) - Has played virtually every minute in the Premier League since he arrived in England last month.

2. Midfielders

Imran Louza
Imran Louza's return to the starting XI coincided with victory last time out / James Williamson - AMA/GettyImages

Moussa Sissoko (CM) - Yet to score this season, but if the captain plays at his best Watford have a great chance of winning.

Imran Louza (CM) - The Villa game marked his first start since the Africa Cup of Nations. Had the edge over January signing Edo Kayembe.

Tom Cleverley (CM) - Appears to be trusted by Hodgson and has started each of the last three games after a mixed role earlier in the season.

3. Forwards

Emmanuel Dennis
Emmanuel Dennis got the winner against Aston Villa on Saturday / Eddie Keogh/GettyImages

Ismaila Sarr (RW) - Got an assist against Villa on his first start since November due to injury and international duty.

Joshua King (ST) - Hasn't found the net since scoring against Leicester in late November and is looking for his sixth goal of the season.

Emmanuel Dennis (LW) - Joint fourth on the Premier League's top scorer list this season after his ninth goal last time out.

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