Brighton may be ninth but they are absolutely one of the hardest teams to beat this season. Only Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have lost fewer than Brighton’s tally of four. They restart after a three-week break without Dan Burn’s significant presence but with Graham Potter’s superior coaching it is unlikely to break the spell against Watford. Adam Webster has stepped up to replace Ben White so one imagines Potter has another in mind to burst on to the scene, or maybe just good old Lewis Dunk. Roy Hodgson’s side are in desperate need of a win after a run of 10 matches since their last under Claudio Ranieri but their mishmash of a squad is unlikely to pose too much of a threat to Brighton’s slimline but efficient side. Graham Searles
Saturday 3pm
Venue Vicarage Road
Last season n/a
Referee Jon Moss
This season G15 Y29 R4 2.2 cards/game
Odds H 3-1 A 13-11 D 23-10
WATFORD
Subs from Elliot, Bachmann, Fletcher, Gosling, Hernández, Cleverley, Pedro, Kabasele, Rose, Sema, Sierralta, Louza, Masina, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Sarr, Baah, Etebo
Doubtful Etebo (match fitness), Sarr (match fitness), Baah (ankle)
Injured Nkoulou (hamstring, Mar)
Suspended None
Discipline Y39 R2
Form LLDLDL
Leading scorer Dennis 8
BRIGHTON
Subs from Steele, McGill, Alzate, Ferguson, March, Mac Allister, Trossard, Veltman, Caicedo, Duffy, Offiah
Doubtful Trossard (Covid)
Injured Sarmiento (hamstring, 26 Feb), Mwepu (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y39 R1
Form WDWDDD
Leading scorer Maupay 7
