Sean Dyche returns to Vicarage Road on Good Friday for the first time since being sacked by Watford. This time he will be hoping his Burnley side can dent the Hornet`s promotion hopes and return with three points
The Pre-amble:
Burnley take on high-flying Watford at Vicarage Road this Good Friday. The Clarets season looks to be coming to a predictable mid-table end at the moment although the play-offs still remain a mathematical possibility. Burnley are in 11th spot on 49 points but that is now ten points behind the current sixth-placed club, Leicester City and there are now only eight games of the season remaining including Good Friday`s clash. Realistically it looks like we are just playing for pride but I am sure Sean Dyche will want to make an impression against his former club and give them a bloody nose. It won`t be easy though against a side with automatic promotion firmly in their grasp. Watford boss Gianfranco Zola will certainly have other ideas too and he will be keen to get back to winning ways after two straight defeats. His side are currently in third spot just two points behind second-placed Hull City.
Watford Team News:
Watford could name the same side that lost narrowly 1-0 away to Barnsley before the international break. Manuel Almunia has missed the last four matches with a hamstring injury and the first choice keeper may need a late fitness test ahead of the game. Almen Abdi is expected to be available for Friday’s match. The Hornets midfielder suffered a groin injury before kick-off against Blackpool and missed the clash against the Tykes. Connor Smith should also return to training before Friday but Tommie Hoban, John Eustace and Neuton are all still sidelined.
Player to watch: Matej Vydra
20 year old Czech international on-loan striker, Matej Vydra looks to be the man to keep at bay this Friday! He has found the back of the net 20 times so far this season and he is the Hornets leading goal-scorer. In July 2012, it was confirmed that Vydra had been loaned by Serie A side Udinese to Watford for the whole of the 2012-13 season and the deal seems to have paid-off in some style!
Burnley Team News:
Marney has been struggling with a calf complaint and has missed the last four games. Hopefully the international break has helped his recovery but news is awaited on his chances of playing this Good Friday. One player who will miss out is Ben Mee. Mee was sent off against Rovers at Ewood Park after picking up a second bookable offence. He now sits out a one match automatic suspension. Danny Lafferty looks set to make a return to the starting eleven at left back.
Player to watch: Lee Grant
Grant has had a very good season despite at times having to take criticism and stick from the Burnley fans. That seems to be a thing of the past now though and the keeper continues to impress to the extent he could be a candidate for player of the year after making some stunning saves of late.. It will be a good test for him again this Friday, so let`s hope that once again he can rise to the occasion and this time keep the Hornets at bay.
Team & Tactics:
The Clarets could make just one forced change to the starting line up after Ben Mee`s red card dismissal against Rovers before the international break. Danny Lafferty is expected to replace Mee at left back so the line-up could be as follows:
Grant, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Lafferty, McCann, Wallace, Kacaniklic, Bartley, Paterson, Austin
Subs: Jensen, Mills, Long, Stanislas, Stock, Vokes and Ings.
If Dean Marney is deemed fit though he could be preferred in place of Bartley. Another possibility could be that Dyche is considering being more defence- minded against his former club which might mean a return to the holding midfield option with Brian Stock no doubt eyeing a return should those tactics be on the cards. The big question too is whether David Edgar might be in line for a recall after missing out completely against Rovers.
Ref Watch:
Nottingham referee, David Coote gets this one! In 28 games so far this season, four players have been sent off and another 85 seen yellow. This is Coote`s second game this season involving the Clarets. The first was back in October last year when we drew 3-3 at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Just two players that day picked up yellow cards.
Match Prediction:
This will be a tough, tough game against a side riding high and looking to claim automatic promotion, Burnley may have a mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs still but realistically we are probably just playing for pride so let`s show some! 2-1 Clarets!
Next Match:
Our next game is on Easter Monday April 1st when we play Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor (3pm Kick-off). Let`s hope its Forest who are the April Fools!
