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Watford logo
Championship
May 2, 2015 at 12.15pm UK
 
Sheffield Wednesday logo

1-1

Vydra (25')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Nuhiu (91')

Preview: Watford vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Sports Mole previews the match between Championship leaders Watford and Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road.

Watford will be crowned champions of the Championship if they can secure a last-day victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls will make the long trip to Vicarage Road looking for the win that they need to have a chance of recording their highest-place finish for six years.



Watford

Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Millwall at Vicarage Road on November 01, 2014© Getty Images

Watford head into the game having already secured promotion, but the Hornets will want to cap off an excellent few months with the league title.

Up until the end of February, the club had fluctuated between fifth and seventh place, but 10 wins in 13 games have helped them to the top of the Championship standings.

The 1-0 win over Birmingham City helped them capitalise on dropped points by their rivals, but it was last week's triumph at Brighton & Hove Albion that made the difference.

The early kickoff gave Slavisa Jokanovic's men the chance to extend their lead over the chasing pack, and goals from Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra left Middlesbrough and Norwich City chasing wins that ultimately didn't materialise.

Watford will be ending an eight-year stay in the second tier of English football, and regardless of Saturday's result, they will be positive about their return to the top flight.

Jokanovic is reportedly close to penning a new deal and with a squad of players who will hold no fear to what lies ahead, they will be welcome additions to the Premier League.

Recent form: DWWWWW



Sheffield Wednesday

Stuart Gray, the Sheffield Wednesday manager, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium on August 30, 2014© Getty Images

One win from their last six games has seen Sheffield Wednesday fall down the standings, but it has been a welcome season of consolidation at Hillsborough.

After spending the past two years in the bottom half of the table, the Owls have spent this campaign no lower than 14th since the second week of the campaign.

That's the position that they currently occupy, but the club can still finish as high as 10th place so there is still all to play for Stuart Gray and his side.

They looked fringe playoff contenders at one stage, but despite failing to compete with the better sides in the division, they will record their highest finish for six years if they can secure 12th place or better.

Gray will demand a response from his players after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds United, but he will take comfort from the fact that they will end the year above their Yorkshire rivals.

Goals have been a problem all season, but despite their current placing, Wednesday boast the fourth best defence in the league and Watford's attack will have to perform to their best to find goals on Saturday afternoon.

Recent form: DLDWDL



Team News

Matej Vydra of Watford celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford at Amex Stadium on April 25, 2015© Getty Images

Daniel Tozser could replace Ikechi Anya in midfield after their early switch proved key in the club's 2-0 victory at Brighton.

Jokanovic also has a choice to make in attack, with either Vydra or Odion Ighalo partnering Deeney up front.

On-loan striker Will Keane could start for Sheffield Wednesday in his final appearance before returning to Manchester United.

Gray may make more changes after seeing his side let slip a 1-0 lead against Leeds last weekend.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Gomes, Angella, Cathcart, Connolly, Paredes, Abdi, Watson, Guedioura, Tozser, Vydra, Deeney

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Westwood, Vermijl, Buxton, Lees, Helan, Isgrove, Semedo, Lee, Keane, Maguire, Lavery



Head To Head

The head-to-head record between the two sides is dominated by Watford, with the Hornets registering 16 victories in comparison to just eight from Sheffield Wednesday.

In their two fixtures at Hillsborough in 2014, Watford thrashed their hosts, including by a 3-0 scoreline back in October.

However, Wednesday's last visit to Vicarage Road saw them run out 1-0 winners.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: Watford 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

With promotion already secured, Watford are able to go into their final game of the season in a relaxed manner and that is likely to bring out the best in them. Sheffield Wednesday have performed well in defence this year, but they have a tough job on their hands to stop Deeney, Vydra and Ighalo.



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Fernando Forestieri of Watford holds off the challenge of Jonathan Woodgate of Middlesbrough during the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road on February 15, 2014
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