Preview: Watford vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Slaven Bilic squares off against one of his former clubs on Monday night as Watford play host to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship.

Although sixth-placed Watford sit two points clear of West Brom in the standings, the visitors possess a game in hand ahead of their trip to Vicarage Road.

Match preview

© Reuters

When a Watford manager collects just four victories from 14 matches in a division below the Premier League, they are usually sacked, yet Bilic has managed to remain at the helm for the time being.

The Hornets are also on a five-match streak without success, but they were within minutes of recording a shock win at leaders Burnley last time out, eventually having to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Despite that disappointment, some will feel that it is still a point gained, and it ensured that Watford stayed in the top six ahead of the weekend's fixtures.

Sitting 14 points adrift of second spot having played a game more, automatic promotion is realistically out of the question, leaving Watford to focus on trying to make the playoffs.

With just seven points separating Bilic's team and 16th position, and many of the teams below them having matches in hand, the pressure will be felt ahead of this contest.

© Reuters

Carlos Corberan has just committed his long-term future to West Brom, but the Spaniard is currently overseeing his worst run of form since his arrival in October.

Just four points have been collected from their most recent four outings, the Baggies being denied a win over Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns by a late equaliser.

That was the difference between the West Midlands outfit sitting in seventh and 10th, highlighting the narrow margins for error in this division.

Although West Brom are fancied by many to eventually secure a place in the playoffs, they travel to Vicarage Road having lost their last three away matches in all competitions.

Team News

© Reuters

Barring any injury issues and given the longer recovery period, Bilic may look to stick with the Watford XI which impressed at Burnley.

Matheus Martins is a potential inclusion if Joao Pedro switches to the number 10 role, with Ken Sema possibly dropping out of the team.

Hassane Kamara and Hamza Choudhury are both two bookings away from a two-match ban, something which will come into Bilic's thinking at some stage.

Jayson Molumby appears likely to replace Nathaniel Chalobah in the West Brom midfield after coming off the substitutes' bench to net the opener versus Blackburn.

Daryl Dike may get the nod over Brandon Thomas-Asante, but the rest of the team should stay the same.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Gaspar, Porteous, Hoedt, Kamara; Kone, Choudhury, Sema; Sarr, Davis, Pedro

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Furlong, O'Shea, Pieters, Townsend; Molumby, Yokuslu, Albrighton; Wallace, Dike, Swift

We say: Watford 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

With Watford having likely dropped outside of the playoffs come kickoff, there will be an onus on trying to regain that spot on Monday night. However, West Brom are a tough fixture for any team in the division, and we feel that both sides will likely be content with a share of the spoils should the opportunity materialise.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.