We have reached the second round of the 2021/22 English Football League Cup and at this stage of competition we see the introduction of several Premier League clubs. Two of which have been drawn together in the southern section, as Watford meet Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on Tuesday the 24th of August.
Watford come into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on the weekend. The Hornets fell behind after only 10 minutes of the game and it was always going to be difficult to get back into the match against a well-drilled Brighton team. In fact, it was the hosts who scored the only other goal of the game as they struck just before half-time to take maximum points.
📺 The key moments from today's match against Brighton at the Amex.#BHAWAT pic.twitter.com/7Pz4bd8cOE— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 21, 2021
📺 The key moments from today's match against Brighton at the Amex.#BHAWAT pic.twitter.com/7Pz4bd8cOE
However, Watford can be happy with their start to life in the Premier League as they recorded a good 3-2 to home win over Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. The only issue of concern is defensively and Watford have conceded 4 goals in only two Premier League games this season and cannot afford to continue in that trend.
Watford have failed to get beyond the third round of the League Cup in their previous two attempts in the competition. Last season, they were eliminated by Newport County in the third round but have won each of their last two League Cup fixtures at home, beating Coventry City and Swansea City.
Crystal Palace make the trip to Vicarage Road having picked up their first point of the season in the Premier League following a 0-0 draw at home against Brentford. The Eagles would have been hoping to take maximum points at home against a team promoted from the Championship last season.
It is clear manager Patrick Vieira is trying to impose to impose a new approach at Selhurst Park but Crystal Palace have failed to score a goal in the opening two matches of the Premier League season.
Crystal Palace faced a tough test in their first game of the campaign as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Champions League winners, Chelsea. They lost the match 3-0 having been 2-0 down at half-time.
Trends show Crystal Palace have been eliminated from the League Cup at the second round stage in each of the previous two seasons. They have lost 7 of their last 10 away League Cup fixtures.
Team news and Watford have doubts over the fitness of Juraj Kucka and Nathaniel Chalobah. João Pedro is not expected back in action until the middle of September.
Crystal Palace have three main injury concerns and Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, and Nathan Ferguson are unlikely to play any part in the game. Luka Milivojevic is unavailable for personal reasons.
This is a tough match to call and we are not expecting to see a high number of goals scored. In fact, this game could end goalless, with the possibility of a penalty shootout to decide who progresses.