Preview: Watford vs. Wycombe Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Watford welcome Wycombe Wanderers to Vicarage Road looking to get back on track in the Championship promotion race after defeat to Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, the visitors head into Wednesday evening's fixture sitting 11 points adrift of safety after losing out against leaders Norwich City.

Match preview

© Reuters

Watford have been a team very much on the up since the appointment of Xisco with the Spaniard moving the Hornets into contention for the top two.

Nevertheless, Saturday's 1-0 reverse at the Vitality Stadium has halted the club's momentum, ending a four-match winning streak in the second tier.

With Norwich and Brentford squaring off on Wednesday evening, there is an opportunity for Watford to make some headway on the top two, preferably the latter given that the leaders hold a 10-point lead over third position.

The setback at the weekend was arguably undeserved with Bournemouth's winning goal coming from a free kick which was controversially awarded in the middle of the pitch.

Nevertheless, Xisco will feel that the circumstances behind the defeat could act as the catalyst for a return to winning ways on Wednesday, particularly with Wycombe having earned a draw in the reverse fixture back in October.

© Reuters

The stalemate at Adams Park earned Wycombe their first ever point in the Championship, but it has not helped the Chairboys get out of trouble.

Despite the vast improvements made by Gareth Ainsworth and his squad, they realistically need to win half of their remaining 14 fixtures to avoid an immediate return to League One.

Although defeat against Norwich on Sunday has not helped their cause, Ainsworth will take the positives from remaining in the fixture until the closing minutes.

Nevertheless, Fred Onyedinma's scrappy effort against Reading represents Wycombe's only goal from open play in their last four fixtures.

Watford Championship form: DWWWWL

Wycombe Wanderers Championship form: LWLDWL

Team News

© Reuters

Joao Pedro is absent for Watford after his red card against Bournemouth, while Nathaniel Chalobah is also suspended due to collecting 10 yellow cards.

Dan Gosling and Stipe Perica are in line to deputise for the duo, while Philip Zinckernagel may get the nod over Ken Sema.

Wycombe remain without defender Ryan Tafazolli, who is serving the second game of his ban for the dismissal against Reading last week.

Joe Jacobson is expected to return at left-back, with Nnamdi Ofoborh a possible inclusion in the centre of midfield.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Femenia, Sierralta, Cathcart, Masina; Cleverley, Gosling; Sarr, Hughes, Zinckernagel; Perica

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Grimmer, Knight, Stewart, Jacobson; Wheeler, Mehmeti, Ofoborh; Kashket, Ikpeazu, Onyedinma

We say: Watford 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers

Having had 24 hours less recovery time, Wycombe are at a disadvantage ahead of their trip to Vicarage Road. While we expect a committed display from the visitors, a strong start for the Hornets could provide them with a comfortable night.