Head coach Javi Gracia accepted his side are “short of numbers” in the build-up to the match and this is how I see him lining up.
Goalkeeper: Egil Selvik
Selvik made a save that preserved a point at Blackburn Rovers last week.
He has been faultless across the last couple of games and naturally keeps his place.
Right-back: Jeremy Ngakia
Ngakia and James Abankwah were not certain to play 90 minutes against Blackburn Rovers last week, eventually getting through the game.
Gracia revealed some of his squad are playing through the pain barrier at the moment – so it would make sense for Ngakia to be one of those – but hopefully he is good to start.
Centre-back: Kevin Keben
Keben made baby steps of improvement at Ewood Park, defending strongly having been encouraged to take minimal risk by Gracia.
With Mattie Pollock out injured, he is surely a certain starter.
Centre-back: James Abankwah
Abankwah has also been generally good since Max Alleyne’s departure back to Manchester City, though needs to cut out the occasional lapses in concentration that threaten to undermine him.
If he is fit, he starts.
Left-back: Marc Bola
Marc Bola is set to start (Image: Action Images)
Watford are hugely reliant on Bola’s fitness and durability at the moment, with James Morris barely used as cover in that position.
Assuming Bola isn’t one of Gracia’s defensive concerns, he will play.
Right wing: Othmane Maamma
Maamma may have had a dip in performance level but Gracia is likely to stick with him.
The Moroccan has proved himself capable of following tactical instruction and still produces breathtaking pieces of attacking play.
Centre midfield: Imran Louza
Louza is fit, so should return to the starting XI.
The Moroccan missed last week’s game with a hip complaint but remains one of the first names on the team sheet.
Centre midfield: Hector Kyprianou
Edo Kayembe had a good game against Blackburn last week, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see him start, but I’m tipping Kyprianou to get the nod.
Hector Kyprianou is a regular in midfield (Image: PA)
The summer signing does a solid job in the middle of the pitch and was missed when he wasn’t there last month.
Left wing: Tom Ince
I fancy Gracia to restore Ince to the starting XI here after a break last weekend.
The winger has been a favourite for the last couple of months, providing tactical discipline and an eye for goal.
Attacking midfield: Giorgi Chakvetadze
Gracia said that while he needed his side to be more direct at Blackburn, they may look to play this game differently.
Giorgi Chakvetadze could start centrally (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)
If so, Chakvetadze has to return to the side, most likely in the number 10 position he was playing so well in a few weeks ago.
Striker: Mamadou Doumbia
Doumbia has started the vast majority of matches he has been available to under Gracia and I expect that run to continue.
It wouldn’t be a major shock if he partners Luca Kjerrumgaard, but I fancy the Mali international to edge out the Dane if it’s a battle for one spot.