PREM: Watford v Crystal Palace preview

Watford v Crystal Palace preview

Summer signing Max Meyer could make his first start for Crystal Palace as they travel to Watford on Sunday.

The German has made substitute appearances since he arrived at Selhurst Park, but is in line for a spot in Roy Hodgson's starting XI this weekend.

Watford have won just two of their last 16 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions (D4 L10) but Hodgson refused to call his side the Hornets' bogey team.

"The danger that believing you are someone's bogey team is that you will be very disappointed if they come back and beat you," he said. "I expect a tough and competitive game. Their start to the season has been excellent."

Opposite number Javi Gracia put his side's bright start down to a rare vein of consistency from the Hornets, who have started a season with the same head coach who finished the last for the first time since 2014.

"It will be better to start with the coach you know from the last season," he said. "You don't need time to adapt to new things, new training, new situations.

"The spirit is important; we create a style of play where the players feel comfortable, where they feel part of something. We've created an atmosphere and we are showing all our features.

"It is always important to start well. We have played only two games and they are two important wins, but it's only two games. It's only the beginning.

"It's a good moment for us, but I know we need to keep calm and know bad results will arrive in the future and it will be better to arrive there with not only good results, but having created something we can believe in."

Crystal Palace have few injury worries but will be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka after his straight red card against Liverpool on Monday. Joel Ward or Martin Kelly will replace him at right-back.

Along with Meyer, Cheikhou Kouyate, Jordan Ayew and Vicente Guaita are also fit to start but it remains to be seen if they can force themselves into Hodgson's XI.

For Watford, Stefano Okaka trained with the team this week while Gerard Deulofeu expected to train with the team next week, as is Miguel Britos.

 

Watford again have Stefano Okaka available for selection for the meeting with Crystal Palace following his recovery from a leg injury.

The striker's return to full training comes with Nathaniel Chalobah and Gerard Deulofeu still absent as they pursue match fitness, and Miguel Britos being ruled out with a knock.

Beyond Britos, Watford's only long-term absentee is Tom Cleverley, who is out until the autumn following surgery on his Achilles.