Burnley will look to move closer to securing promotion when they head to Vicarage Road for Friday's Championship clash against Watford.
The Clarets are sitting in second place in the Championship table, while the Hornets head into the contest in 11th position.
Match preview
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Watford's lingering playoff aspirations have effectively been quashed by a poor run of form that has seen them win just two of their last eight matches (D2, L4).
In fact, the Hornets have lost three of their previous five games, including a narrow 2-1 defeat in Saturday's away meeting with West Bromwich Albion, leaving them seven points adrift of the top six with just four matches left to play.
While a top-six finish seems highly unlikely, Watford will still want to give a good account of themselves in Friday's tricky contest against a promotion contender, especially as they have the chance to extend their three-game unbeaten home run.
Tom Cleverley's side have kept clean sheets in each of those three home outings since conceding a couple of goals in last month's 2-1 defeat against Millwall.
Watford's hopes of condemning Burnley to just their third Championship defeat of the season will be dented by the fact that they have won just three of their previous 21 league matches on Good Friday (D11, L7).
They may at least draw some inspiration from the 1-0 victory that they recorded in their most recent home meeting with Burnley in August 2022, giving them the chance to record back-to-back home victories over the Clarets for the first time in 30 years.
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Burnley will carry significant momentum into Friday's fixture after getting the better of Norwich City in Saturday's home clash to extend their unbeaten league run to 29 matches (W18, D11).
Hannibal Mejbri and Jaidon Anthony grabbed a goal apiece to guide Burnley to a fourth victory in five matches, leaving them level with leaders Leeds United with just four games left to play.
Crucially, the Clarets boast a six-point advantage over third-placed Sheffield United, who they will face in an important home clash on Easter Monday.
Before they look to maintain their unbeaten Championship home record, Burnley will attempt to complete a league double in Friday's away meeting with Watford after recording a 2-1 victory in December's reverse fixture.
Scott Parker's side will be confident about negating Watford's attacking threat, with the visitors boasting the Championship's best defensive record after conceding just 13 goals in 42 matches.
In fact, Burnley have recorded 11 clean sheets in their previous 14 away league games, playing a key role in the Clarets establishing the division's best away record with 43 points from 21 road trips
Team News
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Watford are unable to call upon the services of Yasser Larouci, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Kwadwo Baah and Angelo Ogbonna.
Defender Kevin Keben is set to feature in a matchday squad after recovering from an injury that has kept him out of the last eight matches through injury.
Rocco Vata is pushing for a recall after coming off the bench to play around 30 minutes in the recent defeat to West Brom.
As for the visitors, they remain without Jordan Beyer, Aaron Ramsey, Manuel Benson, Jonjo Shelvey and Mike Tresor.
Parker is hopeful that Lyle Foster will be able to play again this season, although the forward is unlikely to be fit for Friday's contest.
The Burnley boss may decide to opt for consistency by selecting the same lineup that started the narrow win over Norwich last weekend.
Watford possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Ngakia, Pollock, Abankwah, Wiley; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Sissoko, Kayembe, Vata; Doumbia
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Brownhill; Edwards, Mejbri, Anthony; Flemming
We say: Watford 0-2 Burnley
Burnley will be full of confidence after winning four of their last five matches, and we think that the Clarets will move closer to securing promotion by beating a Watford side that have lost three of their previous five Championship games.
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