Preview: Watford vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Watford will endeavour to claim their first goal and first win of the Roy Hodgson era when Brighton & Hove Albion make the journey to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

The Hornets went down 1-0 to West Ham United in midweek, while Graham Potter's men have not been in action since bowing out of the FA Cup to Tottenham Hotspur last week.

Match preview

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The unfamiliar sound of West Ham United supporters booing their own player may have disrupted Watford's momentum somewhat, as the Hammers' controversial decision to play Kurt Zouma after the centre-back slapped and kicked his pet cat dominated the pre-match talk.

Roy Hodgson's side did hold their own against the Champions League contenders and had chances of their own to take all three points back to Vicarage Road, but a deflected effort from Jarrod Bowen ultimately settled the contest in West Ham's favour.

Despite the defeat, Watford's progress on the defensive side of the game since Hodgson's arrival has been evident, but that has done little to improve their rankings, with the Hornets occupying 19th spot in the table ahead of this tie - three points adrift of safety.

The 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium marked Watford's third Premier League game on the bounce without a goal and their 10th without victory since that historic 4-1 thumping of Manchester United back in November, but Hodgson can certainly take the positives from his opening fortnight in the dugout.

However, the Hornets welcome Brighton to Vicarage Road having lost each of their last five at home in the Premier League - collecting a league-low seven points on their own soil and conceding a league-high 25 goals - and Brighton are nothing if not resilient on the road.

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Very rarely have Brighton ended up on the wrong end of the scoreline in recent months - with Graham Potter's side establishing a reputation as draw specialists - but the Seagulls were comfortably seen off in the FA Cup by Tottenham last week.

Harry Kane was on the scoresheet twice for the Lilywhites either side of Solly March's own goal, and while Brighton briefly threatened a comeback through Yves Bissouma's effort, Antonio Conte's side were too strong on their own turf.

With only a top-half Premier League finish now left to fight for in the final few months of the season, Brighton's recent streak of 1-1 stalemates with Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Leicester City has been enough to see them hold ninth spot in the table, although Southampton and Aston Villa are bearing down on them.

The Seagulls travel to Vicarage Road having managed to avoid defeat in their last six Premier League matches, although a league-high 12 draws pinpoints where their problems lie, and it is now just one win in their last nine away from home in the top flight - with seven of them ending level.

Brighton did ease to a 2-0 victory over Watford at the Amex Stadium back in August, which marked a fifth clean sheet from seven games against the Hornets since their promotion to the big time in 2017, and Potter's side ought to feel confident about their chances of another shut-out here.

Team News

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Watford may be able to welcome Africa Cup of Nations winner Ismaila Sarr back to the fold this week as Hodgson desperately seeks some attacking bite, but he may only be considered for minutes off the bench.

Nicolas Nkoulou remains out of contention, but there is hope that Peter Etebo and Kwadwo Baah might be fit enough for places in the squad to face the Seagulls. Rob Elliot has also shaken off a minor wrist issue.

Hodgson is unlikely to consider many changes after a respectable showing at the London Stadium, but Joao Pedro and new signing Samuel Kalu provide alternative options in the final third.

As for Brighton, Potter is expected to have Alexis Mac Allister and Leandro Trossard back in the fold after illnesses, but Enock Mwepu and Jeremy Sarmiento remain in the treatment room.

Potter has no fresh concerns from the Tottenham loss and is one of the rare managers to have enjoyed a full week without competitive action, which should see the majority of players from last week retained.

Shane Duffy and Joel Veltman are both options if Potter decides that Lewis Dunk's fitness needs to be carefully managed, and Adam Lallana should be fine to go again after a precautionary change at half time in the cup.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Foster; Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Kucka, Sissoko, Kayembe; Kalu, King, Dennis

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Lamptey, Dunk, Webster, Cucurella; Bissouma, Lallana, Moder; Gross; Maupay, Welbeck

We say: Watford 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

The expected return of Sarr could give Watford that attacking injection they need to end their scoreless streak under Hodgson, and an improved defensive solidity should also serve the hosts well here.

Brighton fans will be sick of the sight of 1-1 stalemates as their side endeavours to end such a run, but that is exactly how we can envisage this encounter going as Watford continue to search for their first win of 2022.

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