Watford Match Preview

West Ham United may have fallen behind early on against Southampton in their all Sky Bet Championship Southern section second-round tie in the Carabao Cup at St Mary’s but in the end, they turned on the style to come away 4-1 winners four days ago to progress to the next stage and set up a home tie against Premier League outfit Fulham next month.

The momentum gained from that trip to the South Coast means they should be confident of getting their first three points of the season when they make the trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford this afternoon.

Although the home side have made an impressive start to the new season having already picked up notable results against both the Saints and Wrexham, there may be a different feeling in Hertfordshire, compared to that of East London, given what happened in the week.

Whilst the Irons were in the midst of doing a demolition job on Tonda Eckert’s men, Alessio Dionisi’s side suffered a shock 5-1 defeat to Sky Bet League One outfit Peterborough United here on Tuesday night.

They might have a point to prove, having said that though, Nuno Espírito Santo did include two experienced players in his squad, as both Max Kilman and Joël Veltman started, whereas the new Hornets Italian Head-Coach changed his entire starting line-up. With that in mind, the Hammers will see this as a chance to pile more misery on the hosts.

With the first of eight midweek fixture programmes coming up next week, it will be an ideal time for Espírito Santo’s team to add to their solitary league point so far.

To be honest, it would do the team the world of good if they could end August on a high and I’m sure that the travelling support would enjoy seeing another success on this ground, thus preserving the club’s favourable record.

Whilst the Hammers’ Head-Coach is likely to restore Mads Hermansen to the starting line-up, youngster Finlay Herrick may get another chance to be involved in the matchday squad as Alphonse Areola sustained a calf injury in Tuesday night’s warm-up.

Max Kilman, Mohamadou Kanté and Joël Piroe could be in line to play their third game in the space of a week, while the majority of last weekend’s team are also set to regain their places, though the Portuguese may keep faith with one or two that started in Hampshire.

No further signings have arrived at the club this week but, it was confirmed on Friday that both defender El Hadji Malick Diouf and James Ward-Prowse have secured permanent moves out of East London and joined Premier League outfit Brentford and fellow Sky Bet Championship club Southampton respectively.

The match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Robert Madley.