Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers meet on Saturday in a rematch of their FA Cup semifinal fixture.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will seek revenge against the Hornets after the latter’s come from behind victory in extra time. Wolves can still qualify for the Europa League but must finish in seventh and hope Watford lose the FA Cup Final to Manchester City.
Since losing to Watford in the semifinal, Wolverhampton Wanderers have blown hot and cold. The side has collected just four points from nine possible. They are coming off of a fantastic midweek 3-1 win against Arsenal at the Molineaux, however.
Watford have also been inconsistent since winning against Wolves in the FA Cup semifinal. Javi Gracia’s team has collected four points with a win over Huddersfield followed by a draw in midweek with Southampton.
Gracia will be without club captain and top scorer Troy Deeney for the fixture. He is serving a three-match ban for a straight red card received against Arsenal. Deeney will miss Wolverhampton Wanderers visit to Vicarage Road before returning against Chelsea.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have secured 20 of the 51 points on the road this term. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team has not been as good on their travels as at home posting a –5-goal difference.
Santo’s team has taken points off of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea at the Molineaux. However, playing away from the Black Country hasn’t gone quite as well.
It is that away form that has prevented Wolverhampton Wanderers from getting any closer to the top six.
Twenty-seven of Watford’s 50 points have come at Vicarage Road. It is the 10th best home points total in the Premier League. However, Gracia’s team is winless in their last two home fixtures.
Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers have met twice this season already in the league and FA Cup. Watford won away at Molineaux in October, 2-0. Etienne Capoue and Roberto Pereyra scored the team’s goals.
Their FA Cup meeting saw Wolves score on either side of halftime before collapsing in the final 11 minutes. Watford scored twice to secure extra time where Gerard Deulofeu scored the winner.
Gracia goes into the match without injured players. Sebastian Prodl, Domingos Quina, Jose Holebas, and Tom Cleverly are all doubts for the fixture.
Meanwhile, Santo continues to have a full-strength squad to choose from. Wolverhampton Wanderers have not had to worry about injuries and suspensions like other teams this term.
There is a lot on the line for both teams. A seventh-place finish would not only mean possible Europa League qualification, but further financial rewards. Both sides will go for goal and the clubs will play another four-goal thriller ending in draw.