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Apr 2, 2019 at 7.45pm UK at ​Vicarage Road Stadium (Watford)
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Javi Gracia vows to field strong Watford team against troubled Fulham ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Gracia vows to field strong team against Fulham ahead of FA Cup semi
© Reuters
Watford head to Wembley on Sunday.

Watford boss Javi Gracia feels concentrating on beating relegation-haunted Fulham would be the best way to prepare for their FA Cup semi-final with Wolves.

The Cottagers head to Vicarage Road on the brink of dropping out of the Premier League, with another defeat set to see them follow Huddersfield down into the Championship.

Gracia's squad could be forgiven for having their minds elsewhere, already safe in mid-table and with Sunday's trip to Wembley to look forward to.

The Spaniard, though, has called for full focus on Tuesday night against a team still mathematically at least with a chance of beating the odds to stay up.

"I think the best way to prepare for that important game we play on Sunday is to try and win the next game," Gracia said.

"That is the best way to respect the FA Cup and to respect the Premier League as well.

"I will choose the players I want, but I am always thinking about the best formation and the best line-up to win the next game.

"In this moment, I am only focused on the next game. After Fulham, we have five days to prepare (for the semi-final).

"It was more difficult to prepare for this game after only a couple of days since Manchester (United). We try to always keep the same mentality."

Gracia added at a press conference reported by the club: "If they (Fulham) are in this situation at this moment, it's because they have had problems for a long period, not just now or tomorrow.

"I know the next game is very important for them, and I am very sorry for them. I know what it's like to be sacked, to be relegated with my home-town team.

"But we are professionals and must always try to do our best to win the next game."

As well as securing a return to Wembley in May, Watford are still in realistic contention to finish the Premier League campaign as high as seventh.

"We're improving day by day, it's the best signal for us," Gracia said.

"We are improving, being ambitious. With this attitude, we are in the right way to play better and better.

"This week is very important for our present and our future as well."

The Spaniard, who recently signed a contract extension, added: "When we achieved our first target in February to remain in the Premier League, it was something amazing for us.

"Now maybe everybody can forget our main target, but we want to make a step forward.

"We want to improve and finish in the best position in the table."

Forwards Isaac Success and Adalberto Penaranda will not be fit to face Fulham because of injury.

Midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah could be one of those given a chance to impress ahead of the semi-final.

"I think all my players are ready to play all the games in the future," Gracia said.


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
2Liverpool32247172195379
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
4Arsenal31196665392663
5Chelsea32196755342163
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
8Watford32137124747046
9Leicester CityLeicester32135144243-144
10Everton32127134542343
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham32126144148-742
12Bournemouth32115164358-1538
13Crystal Palace32106163843-536
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3298153142-1135
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
16Southampton3189143550-1533
17Burnley3296173759-2233
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3235241859-4114

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