With eight games remaining, the race for promotion in to the Premier League heats up, with leaders Watford welcoming Ipswich Town to Vicarage Road.

The Hornets sit top of the Championship on 72 points, level with Middlesbrough but ahead on goal difference. The visitors are seventh, one point behind Brentford who occupy the last play-off place.

In team news, Watford are without Almen Abdi (hamstring) and Sean Murray (knee) but on loan Matthew Connolly could make his debut against Ipswich.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has no new injury concerns as they look to stay top of the table.

Jokanovic added a defensive option to his squad with the loan signing of Matthew Connolly from Cardiff City, and he will almost certainly be handed a spot in the squad on Saturday.

Ipswich are likely to name an unchanged side from the win over Bolton, with Bartosz Bialkowski expected to keep his place in goal as Dean Gerken remains out with an injury.

Town manager Mick McCarthy has said Teddy Bishop is out with sore shins.

Jonathan Parr took a knock in midweek, while David McGoldrick (thigh), Luke Hyam (knee) and Darren Ambrose (hamstring) will also be absent.

Jokanovic's side are in fine form, having won five of their last six games, drawing the other. Their last defeat was 3-0 against Norwich at home on 21 February. 

Speaking ahead of the game, the Watford boss said: "The victory on Tuesday gives us power and takes us even higher with our mentality. Now we are only thinking about Ipswich. This is a top team, but it doesn't matter if it is a bottom team or a top team, the reward is always three points. I will be focused and I expect my team to be focused," 

McCarthy's side however, aren't going as well as the leaders, with their win on Tuesday being their first in five games.

Town defender Tommy Smith is confident the side can get a result against the league leaders: “Watford will obviously be a very tough match, with them being top of the table, but if we can get in their faces and play our game then there’s no reason why we can’t take the three points.” Smith told the official Club website.

He went on to add: “There’s going to be a lot of twists and turns to come yet because the Championship is so tight this season."

A win for The 'Orns would see them stay top of the table but a victory for Ipswich could see the hosts drop to third if Bournemouth beat Middlesbrough. An away win could also see Ipswich move into the play-off places should results go their way.

The Tractor Boys won the revers fixture 1-0 back in November thanks to a goal from Tommy Smith. 

Possible line-ups:

Watford:

Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Ekstrand, Hoban; Forestieri, Watson, Guedioura, Munari; Deeney, Vydra

Ipswich Town:

Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Parr, Skuse, Tabb, Bishop; Sears, Murphy

VAVEL Logo
About the author