Games are starting to come thick and fast for new Watford boss Roy Hodgson as the Hornets face top-four hopefuls West Ham

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West Ham will be hoping for a more straightforward fixture than their narrow victory over Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup last time out as Watford travel to the London Stadium. 

Luckily for the Hammers, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen were on hand to spare their blushes of a premature FA Cup exit to National League North opposition.

This fixture means it is back to Premier League duty for David Moyes’ men for the first time in nearly three weeks. A 1-0 loss to Manchester United courtesy of a late Marcus Rashford winner was their last league encounter on January 22nd.

The hosts remain within touching distance of the top four places and will be licking their lips as they entertain relegation candidates Watford.

West Ham have won the last four encounters against the Hornets with Watford’s last victory over the Hammers coming back in December 2018 as goals from Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu earned the Hertfordshire outfit the win.

Currently, Watford fill the last relegation spot as they sit 18th in the Premier League and it remains to be seen just how new boss Roy Hodgson will steer them to safety. 

Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Burnley represented his first game in charge and a point was not quite enough to leapfrog them over Norwich City and escape the dreaded drop zone, even just momentarily.

Winless in 2022, a shock 4-1 victory over Manchester United before Christmas remains the last time the visitors tasted three points. 

This does not look like changing any time soon as their last four away matches in London have seen them lose by a one-goal margin.

Team News

West Ham boss Moyes will be without defender Angelo Ogbonna, however, Lukasz Fabianski and Kurt Zouma are both back in contention.

Watford will happily welcome back Emmanuel Dennis to the side following his red card against fellow strugglers Norwich, whilst Oghenekaro Etebo is pushing to be included in the team again after returning from a thigh injury.

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