Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Watford

Watford travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday lunchtime knowing that their hopes of winning promotion from the Championship rest firmly in their own hands.

Brighton, meanwhile, are all but safe from relegation, but they will need at least a point to be mathematically sure of survival.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton manager Chris Hughton will have been left frustrated after his side's 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic last weekend, which means that he will have to wait a bit longer before securing his side's Championship status.

The Seagulls are 20th in the standings and six points clear of 22nd-placed Millwall with two games remaining. However, Brighton's goal difference is far superior to Millwall's which, barring a massive swing in goals and results, means that they are safe.

Brighton can begin to look to next season now following a poor campaign, which started with hopes of promotion before turning into a battle to avoid the drop.

Hughton's Championship experience has proved to be crucial since he replaced Sami Hyypia at the helm in December. Having taken Newcastle United out of this division and Birmingham City into the playoffs previously, he might fancy his chances of forging a third promotion bid with Brighton next year.

However, the South Coast club have lost five of their last six and with Watford arriving in fine form, it could be a long afternoon ahead for the Brighton boss.

Recent form: LLLDLL

Watford

When you consider that Watford have gone through four different managers this season, the fact that they are top of the table with two games remaining is an incredible achievement.

Slavisa Jokanovic is the fourth man to take charge of the Hornets this term and he is just 180 minutes away from guiding them into the Premier League.

The Hornets are a point clear of third-placed Middlesbrough following last weekend's hard-fought 1-0 win over Birmingham, and they know that only two wins from their final two games will guarantee them a place in the top flight.

Jokanovic will be buoyed by the fact that his strikers are finding the back of the net regularly, with Troy Deeney, Odion Ighalo and Matej Vydra all producing when it matters in front of goal.

Watford have won their last four on the bounce, and they will head to the Amex confident that they can make it five. With Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Norwich City breathing down their necks, anything less than a win could prove to be costly come the end of the season.

Recent form: LDWWWW

Team News

Brighton have no fresh injury concerns, with Chris Hughton having a near full-strength squad to choose from.

Striker Sam Baldock misses out with a knee injury, while Solly March has returned to training as he continues his recovery from a calf problem, but this game will probably come too soon for the young midfielder.

Fernando Forestieri is back in contention for the visitors following a one-month absence with a knee injury, while Matthew Connolly could return after missing the Birmingham game with a hamstring problem. Joel Ekstrand and Sean Murray, who are both suffering with knee injuries, remain sidelined.

Jokanovic's main selection dilemma will come in attack, where he will have the option to bring Ighalo in or keep faith with Deeney and Vydra, who started the win over Birmingham.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Stockdale; Bruno, Halford, Greer, Bennett; Holla, Stephens, Kayal; Calderon, Mackail-Smith, LuaLua

Watford possible starting lineup: Gomes; Paredes, Angella, Cathcart, Hoban, Abdi; Guedioura, Watson, Layun; Vydra, Deeney

Head To Head

Brighton have enjoyed the better record against Watford down the years from 110 meetings, recording 43 victories, opposed to the Hornets' 34 wins, while 32 games have finished equal.

However, Watford are unbeaten in their last four against the Seagulls after the last meeting ended 1-1 at Vicarage Road back in October.

Watford's last win at the Amex came in December 2012, when a brace from Vydra and a strike from Deeney handed them a 3-1 success.

We say: Brighton 1-2 Watford

Watford have been formidable at times this season and their current form suggests that they are building up another head of steam. Brighton have racked up the defeats in recent games and they will find it difficult to avoid another against the Hornets, who should be more than capable of picking up the win here.