Middlesbrough will switch their attentions back to the
Premier League on Saturday afternoon for a pivotal ‘six pointer’ away to
Watford.
Aitor Karanka’s side are just three points behind the
Hornets, who have picked up just one point in their last five league games and
have plummeted down the table after a promising start to the campaign.
A victory for Boro would send them above Watford in the
table due to a superior goal difference, as well as mount more manager on their
manager Walter Mazzarri, who became the Hornets’ eighth manager in the space of
four years when he was appointed in the summer.
Even so Karanka is taking nothing for granted ahead of a
crucial game, especially after Watford beat Boro in the reverse fixture at the
Riverside back in October.
“Sometimes, they can be more dangerous because they need the
points,” said the Boro boss.
“They are playing at home, and they are an experienced
Premier League team with an experienced coach and players who have played
across Europe,” he added.
“If we go to Watford thinking it will be an easy game
because they are vulnerable, then we are making a mistake. If we think
about ourselves, we can do something.”
Team News
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes and winger Viktor Fischer could
return to the Boro side after overcoming knee injuries.
However right back Antonio Barragan and midfielder Gaston
Ramirez have both been ruled out.
Centre back Daniel Ayala will serve the first of his
three-game ban after receiving a straight red card against Sheffield Wednesday
in the FA Cup last weekend.
Watford could welcome back Juan Zuniga, Valon Behrami and
Stefano Okaka after the trio missed games over the busy Christmas period.
Keeper Heurelho Gomes and defender Jose Holebas are
available again after recovering from illnesses.
The Opposition
Watford’s last win came on December 10, when a 3-2 victory
at home to Everton moved Walter Mazzarri’s side up to seventh in the table.
The Hornets’ strong start to the campaign came as something
of a shock to some, after they appointed another foreign manager with little
Premier League experience in the summer.
Yet Mazzarri - Watford’s eight manager in the space of four
years - made an admirable start in England and within a month his side had
recorded a memorable home victory over Manchester United.
That remains the highlight of their season so far, and in
recent weeks the men in yellow have found things a little trickier.
Since the Everton result, Mazzarri’s side have lost away at
Sunderland, been held at home to Crystal Palace, been hammered by Tottenham and
crumbled at Stoke.
After picking up just one point in five games, Watford have dropped
down to 14th in the league and if their form doesn’t improve soon
they could quickly be dragged into a relegation battle.
One To Watch
Stefano Okaka
After signing for Watford in the summer, Okaka has struggled
to nail down a first team place at Vicarage Road due to several injuries.
However, the Italian international did score his first two
goals for the Hornets in the 3-2 victory over Everton on December 10.
He is quick, strong and can be a constant pest for defenders,
so Boro must keep an eye on him if he plays.
Last Time Out
Middlesbrough 0 Watford
1 16/10/2016
Jose Holebas’ stunning strike was the difference when the
sides met at the Riverside earlier this season.
The Greek defender produced a rare piece of quality on a
dreary Sunday afternoon, when his fizzing effort ten minutes after the restart
flew into the top corner.
The hosts never really looked like equalising after that, as
Aitor Karanka’s side dropped down to 17th in the table.
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