West Ham vs Watford Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

Friday's Premier League clash between West Ham and Watford is a relegation six-pointer, with both sides knowing victory would virtually secure their top-flight status.

The hosts emphatically beat Norwich 4-0 at Carrow Road last time out, relegating the Canaries back to the Championship. Results and performances have generally been better for the Hammers since the restart and there's now more confidence that they can avoid the drop. David Moyes' side currently sit in 16th place, three points ahead of 18th-placed Bournemouth with a game in hand over the Cherries.

Watford are in a similar situation, sitting above the relegation zone by three points. Nigel Pearson's team had a poor start to the Premier League's resumption, but have now won two games on the trot.

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Friday 17 July
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (BST)
Where Is it Played? London Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Sky Sports Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League (UK)
Referee? Martin Atkinson https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinaffid=635362&awinmid=11005&clickref=9M-LiveStreams&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fshop%2FtvandbroadbandMartin Atkinson

Team News

Robert Snodgrass is unlikely to return for West Ham for the final three games of the season / Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

West Ham don't have too many injury concerns heading into Friday's clash. Robert Snodgrass is back in training as he recovers from the back injury that has kept him out since the restart, but Moyes considers it unlikely that he'll make another appearance this season. Felipe Anderson has also returned to training following a hamstring injury and might be available for selection.

Nigel Pearson will have to make do without Daryl Janmaat and Gerard Deulofeu, with the pair still suffering from the injuries they incurred pre-lockdown, while Isaac Success will also miss out due to a calf injury. Troy Deeney was spotted with a limp and a bandage wrapped around his knee after Watford's victory against Newcastle, but will likely be at Pearson's disposal for Friday.

Predicted Lineups

West Ham: Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Lanzini; Antonio.

Watford: Foster; Femenia, Kabasele, Dawson, Masina; Hughes, Capoue; Sarr, Doucoure, Welbeck; Deeney.

Recent Form

Watford have won their last two games / Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Despite a slight improvement in performances and results since the Premier League's resumption, West Ham's form has largely been mixed. Victories over Chelsea and Norwich were impressive, but that 1-0 home loss to Burnley is perhaps an indication that the Hammers' problems haven't been fully resolved.

Watford started the resumption in dreadful form, losing three and drawing one of their first four games. Two consecutive victories over Norwich and Newcastle have given the Hornets a confidence boost, however, and they will feel slightly more optimistic that they can avoid the drop.

Here is how both sides have performed in their last five games.

West Ham

Norwich 0-4 West Ham (11/7)
West Ham 0-1 Burnley (8/7)
Newcastle 2-2 West Ham (5/7)
West Ham 3-2 Chelsea (1/7)
Tottenham 2-0 West Ham (23/6)

Watford

Watford 2-1 Newcastle (11/7)
Watford 2-1 Norwich (7/7)
Chelsea 3-0 Watford (4/7)
Watford 1-3 Southampton (28/6)
Burnley 1-0 Watford (25/6)

Prediction

Friday's match looks set to be a tense encounter / Alex Broadway/Getty Images

It would be difficult to understate the importance of this match for both teams, as they'll know a victory will significantly increase their chances of staying up.

Watford and West Ham seem like very similar sides on paper and this should be reflected in Friday's match. Get ready for a close, nail-biting encounter.

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Watford