Watford make the long trip to Boro for Sunday’s Premier League clash. We preview their potential starting XI, which should include a record-seeking forward.
Watford centre-forward Troy Deeney is experiencing a hot streak of form – having scored three goals in his last four games – and has also scored in each of the Hornets’ last four games against Middlesbrough.
Deeney, tipped for an England call-up, currently has 99 goals in all competitions for Watford and will hope that this visit to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium will find him scoring his century for the club. Only Luther Blissett, Tommy Barnett, Ross Jenkins and Cliff Holton have previously reached this landmark for Watford.
Deeney is fully expected to start alongside strike partner Odion Ighalo as part of the 3-5-2 system preferred by Watford manager Walter Mazzarri.
Despite Isaac Success’ claims for a starting spot, the front two will be supported from midfield by former Juventus man Roberto Pereyra and Etienne Capoue, who has started the season in fantastic form having been moved into a more advanced role in the team under Mazzarri.
The midfield should be completed by the presence of the more defensively-minded Valon Behrami – enabling Pereyra and Capoue the licence to break into the final third.
Taking the roles on the flanks are expected to be Nordin Amrabat on the right and Jose Holebas on the left.
Defensively, Watford – who have conceded a league-high six headed goals in the top-flight this season – are likely to deploy Miguel Britos, Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl in a back three unit, in front of unorthodox goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Here is the expected line-up in full (3-5-2): Gomes, Prodl, Kaboul, Britos, Amrabat, Behrami, Capoue, Pereyra, Holebas, Ighalo, Deeney
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