Watford Vs Preston North End
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 4th October 2008 3PM Kick Off
After watching his team put on three consecutive under-par performances, Alan Irvine has a tough away trip to Hertfordshire to take on Aidy Boothroyd's Watford to prepare his side for. Roberto Martinez' boys swanned in and took all three points on Tuesday night and whilst consequently ending Preston's Tuesday night lights record in the process, it meant that Preston will travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on the back of three straight defeats.
Watford themselves are having a torrid time of their own at present having recorded just two league wins so far this season. Such poor form was worsened after suffering a defeat in mid-week to Burnley where the Clarets put on another impressive display in a 3-2 win at Turf Moor. Watford are now without a league win in the last five.
Previous Meetings
In recent times Preston have enjoyed some good results at Vicarage Road having picked up a hard earned point in a 0-0 draw after the corresponding fixture last season whilst taking all three points in a 2-1 win back on the opening day of the 2005/2006 season. The goals came from David Nugent and Dickson Etuhu for the visitors that day after Darius Henderson put the Hornets ahead.
Last season when Watford visited Deepdale the game ended in a 1-0 win for Preston with Neil Mellor getting the only goal of the game with just fifteen minutes remaining.
Team News
Richard Chaplow is not likely to be fit in time meaning that Darren Carter could retain his place with Jason Jarrett poised to step in. With Callum Davidson's suspension spanning two more games, it means that Jay McEveley is likely to fill in again at left back, despite giving away a penalty on Tuesday night.
Chris Brown will be pleased to have got ninety minutes under his belt in midweek and should continue up front with Neil Mellor.
As for Watford, they have a long list of injuries with Lloyd Doyley set to miss out after pulling his hamstring in the 2-1 defeat to Plymouth whilst goalkeeper Mart Poom suffered a serious shoulder injury which will keep him sidelined for up to six months.
Watford's goalkeeping troubles don't end there either as Scott Loach damaged abdominal muscles against Sheffield Wednesday, hence why Boothroyd as moved to secure the loan signing of Peterborough 'keeper Mark Tyler to provide cover for Richard Lee.
Centre half Jay DeMerit is a doubt with Tamas Priskin (hamstring), Gareth Williams (cruciate), Gregorz Raziak (broken shoulder), Theo Robinson (broken arm) all out of contention.