Preview: Watford vs. Nottingham Forest

Two of the Championship's early pacesetters meet at Vicarage Road on Tuesday as Watford host Nottingham Forest.

Despite their managerial upheaval in recent weeks, the Hornets have been in strong form.

Watford are on their fourth head coach of the season in the form of Slavisa Jokanovic, but they sit top of the table following Saturday's 3-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday in the Serbian's first game in charge.

Goals from Odion Ighalo, Almen Abdi and Matej Vydra secured a convincing win in South Yorkshire.

Jokanovic could bring Troy Deeney back into the Hornets side for the visit of their promotion rivals. The striker recovered in time to face Wednesday but had to settle for a place on the bench at Hillsborough.

Stuart Pearce's Forest suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, as they fell 2-1 to Cardiff City to end their 11-match unbeaten run. The Reds now sit fifth in the standings, three points adrift of their hosts.

Despite making a promising start to the match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Forest fell two goals behind before Britt Assombalonga netted a late consolation.

Pearce named an unchanged side against Cardiff, but he will be forced to make changes in Hertfordshire.

Henri Lansbury is suspended for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday, with David Vaughan in line to replace him in midfield.

Andy Reid remains sidelined with a groin injury, so Matty Fryatt is expected to continue in a forward role just behind Assombalonga.

Recent form

Watford: WDDWDW

Forest: WDDDDL

Possible starting lineups

Watford: Gomes; Doyley, Ekstrand, Bassong, Pudil; Abdi, Tozser, Munari; Vydra, Ighalo, Deeney

Forest: Darlow; Hunt, Mancienne, Wilson, Lichaj; Vaughan, Tesche, Burke, Antonio; Fryatt; Assombalonga

Sports Mole says: 1-1