Preview: Watford vs. 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