After nearly three weeks away, Watford return to the Premier League action on Tuesday, as they host West Ham United at the Vicarage Road.
Watford had their two festive fixtures cancelled and are without a point since November, while the visitors have picked up just five from their last seven games.
With their last action on December 10 at Brentford, virus-hit Watford requested their subsequent games against Crystal Palace and Wolves be called off due to absenteesm of players.
Head coach Claudio Ranieri will be looking for a fresh start this week, as his side had previously suffered four successive defeats, conceding 11 times in the process.
The last of those defeats came against potential relagation rivals, with Bryan Mbeumo’s penalty earning Brentford three points earlier this month. Watford have lost 11 of their 16 league games.
Watford are currently sitting 17th just above the relagation zone heading into the Tuesday’s fixture, and they could be earger to win, which could give the visitors a tough time to take a vcitory as they are also desperate for the three points.
Passive defending saw the Hammers go behind against Southampton at the London Stadium, and though they came from behind twice to equalise, they ultimately lost 3-2.
Since defeating Rapid Vienna to secure their progress in the Europa League back in late November, it has been mostly a story of despare for West Ham, who have won just once in the intervening period of eight league and cup games.
Not only did West Ham drop more points on Sunday, they had previously lost back-to-back London derbies against Arsenal and Tottenham.
Undoubtedly, injuries have disrupted their well-formed defence, but if Moyes is to lead his side into another challenge for top-four place during the spring, a lot will have to change soon.
Watford vs West Ham United head to head
The two teams have previously met 34 times across all competitions, and West Ham are leading with 18 victories against 10 of Watford and they have drawn in 6. West Ham have scored 53 goals and conceded 40. In their last five meetings, West Ham have won four and Watford one.
West Ham United 2-0 Watford 10/02/18
West Ham United 0-2 Watford 22/12/18
Watford 1-4 West Ham United 12/05/19
Watford 1-3 West Ham United 24/08/19
West Ham United 3-1 Watford 17/07/20
Watford latest home form
Watford have recently defeated Manchester United 4-1 on November 20 in the Premier League. However, they have had a poor run of form at home for most part of the season, and they lost in their last two games. In their last five they have scored 6 goals and conceded 12.
Watford 0-5 Liverpool 16/10/21
Watford 0-1 Southampton 30/10/21
Watford 4-1 Manchester United 20/11/21
Watford 1-2 Chelsea 01/12/21
Watford 1-3 Manchester City 04/12/21
Watford latest away form
Similar to their home performance, Watford have been poor on the road, having won just two of their last ten away games, and they lost their last three to Arsenal, Leicester City and Brentford. Their last away victory came on October 23 when they defeated Everton 5-2 in the Premier League.
Leeds United 1-0 Watford 02/10/21
Everton 2-5 Watfrod 23/10/21
Arsenal 1-0 Watford 07/11/21
Leicester City 4-2 Watford 28/11/21
Brentford 2-1 Watford 10/12/21
West Ham United latest home form
West Ham have been on a good run of form at home for most part of the season. However, they have recently shown some downturn of form, having lost their last two hame games in the Europa League and in the Premier League. In their last five, they have scored 9 goals and conceded 9.
West Ham United 3-2 Liverpool07/11/21
West Ham United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion 01/12/21
West Ham United 3-2 Chelsea 04/12/21
West Ham United 0-1 Dinamo Zagreb 09/12/21
West Ham United 2-3 Southampton 26/12/21
West Ham United latest away form
The Hammers have most recently been on a poor run of form away from home, having failed to record any victory in their last four away games. Their last away Premier League victory came on October 31 when they defeated Aston Villa 4-1, and they have won once it their last five.
Rapid Vienna 0-2 West Ham United 25/11/21
Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United 28/11/21
Burnley 0-0 West Ham United 12/12/21
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United 15/12/21
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 West Ham United 22/12/21
Watford news
Watford have had the opportunity to recover a number of players affected by COVID-19 and injuries during their break.
Ken Sema and Adam Masina are expected to be fully fit and involved in the squad, but Nicolas Nkoulou, Francisco Sierralta, Peter Etebo and goalkeeper Ben Foster are still sidelined alongside Ismaila Sarr.
West Ham United news
Michail Antonio came back after COVID-19 infection on Sunday, and he is likely to start, allowing Jarrod Bowen to shift back out wide.
Last time out Manuel Lanzini came in for Pablo Fornals, and the switch could be retained. Craig Dawson will still start in the back four due to absences of Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna.
Prediction and Odds
Watford head into the game having not kept any clean sheet all season and they have been away from activity which could proof either good or bad for them.
West Ham on their side, have a number of injuries to deal with, but the game could be a close contest as the visitors are a better team. So we could expect a draw or an away win.
Odds: 1 2.78 X 3.01 2 2.45
Probable outcomes
Watford 0-0 West Ham United
Watford 1-1 West Ham United
Watford 0-1 West Ham United
Watford 1-2 West Ham United
Watford 2-1 West Ham United















