Watford

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

The numbers don’t look good for Watford - 15 points after 22 games is relegation form.

To stay up Watford are going to need something like 23 points from their 16 remaining games; six or seven wins. Considering they haven’t won in their past 10 and have picked up two points from a possible 30 this seems unlikely. But there is some hope.

In Roy Hodgson’s two matches in charge, they’ve only conceded one fortunate deflected goal. The Hornets are competitive, whereas before Hodgson this was not the case in many matches.

Admittedly, the style is pretty conservative where they’ve managed to suck the life out of the other team - but it’s worked defensively.

Of course, Watford now need to score goals. So Hodgson has to find the balance between keeping a tight shape and being more expansive in attack.

Much could depend on Ismaila Sarr. The Senegal Africa Cup of Nations winner is on his own at the top level in this Watford squad.

Joao Pedro could get there with his obvious talent and potential and Emmanuel Dennis isn’t far off it. But Sarr is a special player and if Watford are to stay up it’s him who’s likely to be the difference.

He’s only just returned from celebrating with his country and trained at London Conley for just one day. But Hodgson will surely have to play him against Brighton, such is the need for victories.

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You’ll hear from fixture guru Ben Crellin, plus former Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid pops by to play Sutton Death.

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• Watford haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 16 home Premier League matches and conceding in this game will see them equal the record, standing at 17 matches and jointly-held by four teams: Sunderland (2003-05), Blackpool (2010-11), West Brom (2010-11) and Wolves (2011-12).

• Brighton have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games against promoted sides (won six, drawn six), keeping a clean sheet in each of their last five since a 1-0 loss at West Brom in February 2021.

• Watford have lost their last five home top flight matches, only having two longer home losing runs in their Football League history: a nine-game run between December 1971 and March 1972 and a six-game run between August and October 1990.

• Brighton have drawn 12 of their 22 Premier League matches so far this season, the joint-most by a side at this stage of a campaign, along with Ipswich Town in 1992-93. Their last six draws have all ended 1-1, with the Seagulls coming from behind to draw in each of those games.

Image source, Getty Images

Watford boss Roy Hodgson says it was a "privilege" to speak with former Hornets chairman Sir Elton John and will add that to his list of after-dinner anecdotes.

Hodgson took a call from Sir Elton before his first game in charge last Saturday against Burnley and said it was "another good moment in my life".

"The word legend is used a bit too too often," he said. "But if you want someone who you can call a legend, that's Sir Elton - and no-one can counter me in that."

When asked about his favourite song, Hodgson said he "likes them all" and is "into the ballads".

Image source, Getty Images

Roy Hodgson says the Watford fans “have a big role to play” as he prepares for his first home game as Hornets boss against Brighton.

The 74-year-old has sat in the away dugout at Vicarage Road on many occasions and is looking forward to the backing of the home crowd.

“It’s very reassuring to know that here the home fans really back their team and are behind them,” he said. “The fans have a really big role to play.”

Hodgson also believes the supporters will see his Watford team are fully committed to trying to stay in the Premier League, but does not think home form is vital.

“It’s too easy to say home games will decide it as that might not be the case,” he said. “Supporters will be happy if we’re picking up the points away from home.

“But one thing they won’t be able to criticise is our level of effort or commitment in the next few months. Whether the players always play as well as we would like, the desire and wanting to do the job will be there.

“I think our supporters will have enough common sense to be patient with us and give us the backing we need to do the job.”

Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Roy Hodgson has been speaking to the media before Watford’s game with Brighton on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ismaila Sarr should return to training tomorrow and Hodgson is looking forward to speaking with him: “I’ll need to meet him, congratulate him and then see how ready he is to play for us again.”

• Hodgson says that points are more important than performances with Watford’s league position: “In most games you can find a positive or two but we need results more than anything. Even if you don’t have a reason to be disappointed with how the team played, without a result, it’s not a good moment.”

• He is not targeting particular fixtures for points: “We don’t see it as a case of just taking points against teams around us. Only points will improve our position and when they don’t come, we analyse where we could have done better and prepare for the next game.”

• On his first game at Vicarage Road: “It’s very reassuring to know the fans really back the team here. Our fans have a big role to play this season and I know they will play their part."

• On Graham Potter’s success at Brighton: “He’s outstandingly good who handles every aspect of the job well. The club has established itself very well in this league.”

Watch highlights from a packed set of midweek fixtures in the Premier League, featuring leaders Manchester City’s game with Brentford and a rollercoaster encounter at Villa Park between Aston Villa and Leeds.

You can also see all of the goals from Tuesday’s three matches, including Newcastle's game with fellow strugglers Everton at St James' Park.

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Image source, BBC Sport

Arsenal turned down offers in the January transfer window for midfielder Mohamed Elneny from Watford, Newcastle and Leeds, despite the 29-year-old's contract being set to expire in July. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Roy Hodgson has tightened up the defence in his first two games as Watford boss but there have been no goals at the other end.

So who should he pick to break down Brighton's stingy defence? Would you throw Ismaila Sarr in from the start?

It's up to you how you approach this - you could pick the team you want Hodgson to select or go with the side you think he will choose.

Either way, it's time to select your Hornets XI to face Brighton