The Foxes travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday as Premier League hostilities resume.
Watford manager Walter Mazzarri
Watford will look to bounce back from their 6-1 humiliation versus Liverpool before the international break, as The Hornets entertain Premier League champs Leicester City at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Walter Mazzari’s men had been on a four-game undefeated streak, without conceding in 270 minutes of game time, prior to their Anfield drubbing last time out.
The Italian’s newly-installed 3-5-2 formation has paid dividends for The Hornets this term, but having shipped six goals in 90 minutes – albeit against a rampant Reds side – could Mazzari now switch tac?
Forwards Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo continue to struggle to find the net. Indeed Watford’s last two goals have come from full backs Daryl Janmaat and José Holebas.
With the latter suspended for the visit of Claudio Ranieri’s men, might the Watford boss now tinker with his shape versus a Leicester side that have conceded 12 goals in their last four away outings?
The visitors themselves have won just twice in eight league games and may have half an eye on Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League game versus Club Brugge, as the Foxes look to secure knockout football after Christmas.
Jamie Vardy ended his 15 match goal drought versus Spain on Tuesday night and the man who scored 24 goals last term will look to kick on this weekend.
The game also sees the first domestic clash between compatriots Walter Mazzari and Claudio Ranieri. With both respective sides losing out a fortnight ago, neither man will be keen to be usurped on Saturday.
Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring the first goal for Leicester
The last times the two sides met was back in March, when a Riyad Mahrez goal was enough to give The Foxes three vital points in their passage towards an historic league crown.
As documented, the hosts will be without defender Holebas which could see a tinkering of system for Walter Mazzari – at least temporarily.
Camilo Zúñiga is an option in the Greek’s stead, but the Hornets boss may resort to a 4-4-2 system this weekend, with the Colombian shifting to left-back.
Sebastian Prödl could make a return to the Watford defence after missing the trip to Merseyside, but Christian Kabasele and Craig Cathcart are absent with knocks and a hernia issue respectively.
Stopper Heurelho Gomes is expected to be passed fit after sustaining an injury versus Liverpool, however both Isaac Success and Kenedy are missing. Stefano Okaka could make the Watford bench.
Here is how Watford could line up:
Claudio Ranieri will make late calls on midfielders Danny Drinkwater and Demarai Gray, both of whom are injury doubts for the trip to Hertfordshire.
Kaspar Schmeichel is out for another four weeks with a fractured hand, so Ron-Robert Zieler will continue to deputise. Nampalys Mendy remains an absentee.
Here is how The Foxes could line up:
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