MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 20:48:37| >> :600:135728:135728:
[monks data]
Watford logo
Championship
Dec 26, 2014 at 5.30pm UK
 
Wolves logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Dicko (57')

Preview: Watford vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sports Mole previews the Championship's evening kickoff on Boxing Day as Watford entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Boxing Day evening at Vicarage Road sees Watford take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Championship affair between two playoff hopefuls.

Hosts Watford are flying at the moment having won three games in a row to move back into the top six, pulling four points clear of their nearest challengers Norwich City.

On Saturday victory looked unlikely at half time because of Gabriele Angella's red card - he will have to sit this one out - but the Hornets pulled through in the second half thanks to Almen Abdi's strike, making it an unhappy start for new Royals boss Steve Clarke.

While three wins on the spin is much improved from the four-game losing drought beforehand, Slavisa Jokanovic will feel that another win is vital here as the sides above them continue to impress.

If results go their way, however, they could close to within a point of top spot. Victory will also make it the first time since January 2011 that they have won four on the bounce.

Wolves are seven points adrift of Watford going into the game, but have improved slightly of late following a five-game losing streak.

They put an end to the defeats by winning at Sheffield Wednesday 10 days ago before a 1-1 draw at home to flailing Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Although Kenny Jackett would have wanted all three points against the Seagulls, he would have been delighted to see Bakary Sako back to his breakneck best down the wing.

The Mali international is still the club's top marksman with seven goals despite not scoring in eight games since October and will be hopeful of ending his drought against Watford, who he has scored against the last two times that he's played them.

One of those goals was a 90th-minute equaliser in the two sides' last meeting in March 2013.

While Sako will be one of the first names on the teamsheet, Jackett has a decision to make up front with Nouha Dicko returning to fitness but without a start since October.

Danny Graham could lead the line once more and Jackett has expressed an interest in extending his loan from Hull City past the end of the year. Right-back Matt Doherty serves the last match of his three-game ban.

Watford:

Recent form: LLLWWW

Possible starting lineup: Gomes; Bassong, Cathcart, Doyley; Anya, Toszer, Guedioura, Pudil; Deeney, Vydra

Wolves:

Recent form: LLLLWD

Possible starting lineup: Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Hause; Henry, McDonald, Edwards; Van La Parra, Graham, Sako

Sports Mole says: 2-0


ID:195352: cacheID:195352:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6010:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Danny Graham of Hull City looks on during the pre season friendly match between Peterborough United and Hull City at London Road Stadium on July 29, 2013
Read Next:
Wolves could extend Graham loan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!