Sunderland vs Watford. Premier League.
Stadium of LightAttendance40,267.
Saturday 17 December 2016 15:08, UK
Watford will be missing attacking midfielder Roberto Pereyra when they visit Sunderland in the Premier League.
After their 3-2 win over Everton last weekend, Watford were beaten 2-0 by Man City in midweek, but could go as high as seventh with a win at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have lost their last two after winning three of their previous four, and are still rooted to the bottom of the table, four points from safety.
Sunderland midfielder Jan Kirchhoff is out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Watford and could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee cartilage injury.
The German is to see a specialist over a tear to his lateral meniscus and although there is as yet no timescale, he seems certain to be out for several weeks at the very least, joining defenders Paddy McNair (knee) and Javier Manquillo (hamstring), midfielders Lee Cattermole (hip) and Lynden Gooch (ankle) and striker Duncan Watmore (cruciate ligament) on the casualty list.
Midfielder Didier Ndong is available after suspension, but defender Billy Jones (hip), midfielder Steven Pienaar (calf) and frontman Victor Anichebe (thigh) face late fitness tests.
Though the exact nature of the knee injury he sustained against Manchester City is not yet known, Watford's Pereyra will definitely miss out in the north-east, along with Northern Ireland international Craig Cathcart (groin).
Valon Behrami will return from illness, while Troy Deeney is set to return to the starting line-up, as is Younes Kaboul, against his old club, having missed the past three Hornets fixtures with a calf strain.
Sunderland have only failed to score in three of their previous 36 league meetings with Watford, but one of these came at the Stadium of Light last season (0-1).
Watford have lost four of their five league trips to the Stadium of Light (W1 D0 L4).
Jermain Defoe has scored against 35 different teams in the Premier League, but is yet to score against Watford in the competition (three apps, no goals).
David Moyes has won his last five Premier League home meetings against Italian managers - winning three vs Roberto Mancini, one vs Carlo Ancelotti and another vs Claudio Ranieri.
Sunderland are the only side yet to score a goal from outside the box in the Premier League this season.
The Black Cats have conceded a league-high 10 goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League matches this season.
If Sunderland lose this match then they will be bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day. Twenty one of the 24 sides to be bottom of the league at Christmas have been relegated that season - but Sunderland bucked the trend when they were bottom in 2013/14, finishing 14th.
Watford striker Odion Ighalo scored more league goals than any other player in the top four tiers of English football in 2015 (29). In 2016, he has netted just three goals in 31 league apps.
This is a game that Sunderland have to win. With Christmas coming up, they cannot fall too far behind.
Watford are a bit like Revels - you never really know what you are going to get. They had chances against Man City. It will be nervy for Sunderland, but they have to win it, and so will just edge it if they battle. I can't see a way out for them if they don't win this.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Sunderland are the narrow 6/4 favourites with Sky Bet to pick up three points at home to Watford on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets can be backed at 9/5 to get the victory and the draw is available at 23/10. Sky Bet have Correct Score Group Betting available for this match. You can get 5/2 for Sunderland to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 and 11/4 is the price for Watford to win by any of those scorelines at the Stadium of Light.
