Watford vs Sunderland. Premier League.
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Sunday 15 May 2016 15:55, UK
Quique Sanchez Flores will take charge of his final Watford game when they host Sunderland on Sunday.
Despite leading the Hornets to Premier League safety and an FA Cup semi-final, it was announced on Friday that the Spaniard will be leaving in the summer.
"I'm very grateful to the players, I love these Watford fans, I felt completely happy this year and I enjoyed the experience," said Flores.
"We have a lot of reasons to be happy, so a lot of good memories of this season. The Watford fans were amazing and they gave me a lot of love."
It is understood former Inter Milan and Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri is Watford's No 1 target to replace Flores.
While the Hornets are on the hunt for a new manager, Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has been lauded after securing the club's top-flight status for another season.
The Black Cats beat Everton 3-0 in midweek to ensure their survival and relegate Newcastle and Norwich along with Aston Villa.
Team news
Watford remain without Valon Behrami (rib) and Etienne Capoue (knee) but otherwise Flores has a fully fit squad to select from for his last game.
Allardyce will mix things up and several regular starters can expect to stand down, with chances on offer for those who have sat out recently.
Jordan Pickford, George Honeyman, Tommy Robson, Liam Agnew and Rees Greenwood could come into the side.
Opta stats
Watford's win over Sunderland earlier this season ended a run of six league games without a win over the Black Cats (D2 L4).
Sunderland have won just one of their last seven Premier League away matches (W1 D4 L2).
Only one team (West Ham) have stopped Sunderland from scoring in the Black Cats' last 13 Premier League away games.
Troy Deeney has assisted Odion Ighalo seven times this season in the Premier League - no player has assisted another more often (Alli to Kane also 7).
The Black Cats have scored four times directly from a free-kick this season in the Premier League, no club has scored more (level with Chelsea and West Ham).
A league-low eight different players have scored for the Hornets in the top-flight this season.
The Black Cats spent 237 days in the relegation zone this season but still survived; only Southampton in 1998/99 were in the drop-zone for longer without being relegated (252).
Merson's prediction
Sunderland have done it and Sam Allardyce has delivered again. Watford were beaten the other day by Norwich but this will be an open game.
Sunderland will be relaxed and play and it's Watford's last game of the season so I think there will be goals.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Sky Bet offer even money against Flores signing off with a win over Sunderland on Sunday.
The visiting Black Cats confirmed their top-flight status for next season with an impressive 3-0 win over Everton in midweek and can be backed at 13/5 to carry that momentum into this match and pick up another maximum return.
Watford won the reverse fixture in December 1-0 thanks to an Odion Ighalo goal and it's 28/1 for the same scorecast this time around.
