MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 12:43:27| >> :600:89104:89104:
[monks data]
Watford logo
Championship
Dec 26, 2014 at 5.30pm UK
 
Wolves logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Dicko (57')

Preview: Watford vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sports Mole previews the Championship's evening kickoff on Boxing Day as Watford entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Boxing Day evening at Vicarage Road sees Watford take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Championship affair between two playoff hopefuls.

Hosts Watford are flying at the moment having won three games in a row to move back into the top six, pulling four points clear of their nearest challengers Norwich City.

On Saturday victory looked unlikely at half time because of Gabriele Angella's red card - he will have to sit this one out - but the Hornets pulled through in the second half thanks to Almen Abdi's strike, making it an unhappy start for new Royals boss Steve Clarke.

While three wins on the spin is much improved from the four-game losing drought beforehand, Slavisa Jokanovic will feel that another win is vital here as the sides above them continue to impress.

If results go their way, however, they could close to within a point of top spot. Victory will also make it the first time since January 2011 that they have won four on the bounce.

Wolves are seven points adrift of Watford going into the game, but have improved slightly of late following a five-game losing streak.

They put an end to the defeats by winning at Sheffield Wednesday 10 days ago before a 1-1 draw at home to flailing Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Although Kenny Jackett would have wanted all three points against the Seagulls, he would have been delighted to see Bakary Sako back to his breakneck best down the wing.

The Mali international is still the club's top marksman with seven goals despite not scoring in eight games since October and will be hopeful of ending his drought against Watford, who he has scored against the last two times that he's played them.

One of those goals was a 90th-minute equaliser in the two sides' last meeting in March 2013.

While Sako will be one of the first names on the teamsheet, Jackett has a decision to make up front with Nouha Dicko returning to fitness but without a start since October.

Danny Graham could lead the line once more and Jackett has expressed an interest in extending his loan from Hull City past the end of the year. Right-back Matt Doherty serves the last match of his three-game ban.

Watford:

Recent form: LLLWWW

Possible starting lineup: Gomes; Bassong, Cathcart, Doyley; Anya, Toszer, Guedioura, Pudil; Deeney, Vydra

Wolves:

Recent form: LLLLWD

Possible starting lineup: Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Hause; Henry, McDonald, Edwards; Van La Parra, Graham, Sako

Sports Mole says: 2-0


ID:195352: cacheID:195352:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6010:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Danny Graham of Hull City looks on during the pre season friendly match between Peterborough United and Hull City at London Road Stadium on July 29, 2013
Read Next:
Wolves could extend Graham loan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester463141189414897
3Leeds UnitedLeeds462791081433890
4Southampton462691187632487
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4621121370472375
6Norwich CityNorwich4621101579641573
7Hull City461913146860870
8Middlesbrough46209177162969
9Coventry CityCoventry4617131670591164
10Preston North EndPreston46189195667-1163
11Bristol City461711185351262
12Cardiff CityCardiff46195225370-1762
13Millwall461611194555-1059
14Swansea CitySwansea461512195965-657
15Watford461317166161056
16Sunderland46168225254-256
17Stoke CityStoke461511204960-1156
18Queens Park RangersQPR461511204758-1156
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn461411216074-1453
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds46158234468-2453
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth461312215970-1151
RBirmingham CityBirmingham461311225065-1550
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield46918194877-2945
RRotherham UnitedRotherham46512293789-5227


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!