West Ham vs Watford preview, team news, prediction, kick-off, channel

Team news, stats and prediction ahead of West Ham vs Watford in the Premier League on Friday (kick-off 8pm).

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Team news

West Ham have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Friday's clash with fellow relegation battlers Watford at the London Stadium. Midfielder Robert Snodgrass, yet to feature since the season restart because of a back problem, has been training but it looks unlikely he will be involved.

Boss David Moyes said on Thursday that forward Felipe Anderson was "getting a bit closer" to a comeback after missing three games with a hamstring issue.

Watford manager Nigel Pearson expects to pick from the same squad as he did for Saturday's come-from-behind 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Troy Deeney continues to manage a knee situation but Pearson said it was not a significant concern. Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu (both knee) and Isaac Success (Achilles) remain sidelined through injury.

How to follow

West Ham vs Watford is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30pm; kick-off 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

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Michail Antonio's four goals at Norwich were different class. He plays the No 9 role really well. He did miss chances the week before but you could see a guy who has strength and a great appetite for the game. He chases and fights for everything.

Troy Deeney converted two penalties to get Watford over the line, but they have not been playing well. Nigel Pearson will not be fussed about performances now, it's all about results and he will just wants to see his side reach safety.

Watford would take a point and move on, but how do you genuinely pick a winner here? With the tension, and both teams after one more win or even a point to be safe, it is too difficult to call. But I just think West Ham have more about them at the moment and will win this.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

Opta stats

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• West Ham have won three of their last four Premier League meetings with Watford (L1), as many as they had in their first nine such games against them (D2 L4).
• 60 per cent of Watford's Premier League wins against West Ham have been away from home (3/5) - their six visits to the Hammers in the PL have seen them alternate between a defeat and a victory each time, winning this fixture last season.
• West Ham are looking to pick up back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since August 2019 following their 4-0 win at Norwich last time out. Their consecutive victories back in August came against Watford and Norwich.
• Watford have won their last two Premier League games, despite conceding the first goal both times. Only three teams have ever won 3+ Premier League games in a row despite conceding first - Arsenal (four in March 2012), Manchester United (three in January 2003) and Leeds (three in November 1997).
• Watford have lost their last four away league games by an aggregate score of 0-8. It's their longest losing run on the road since May 2018, in a run of six straight defeats in which they also failed to score a single goal.
• Watford have won their last two Premier League games on Friday, beating Cardiff City in February 2019 (5-1) and Norwich City in November 2019 (2-0). West Ham have won just one of their last five Premier League games on Friday (W1 D1 L3).
• West Ham's Mark Noble has scored three goals in his last two league games against Watford. In his league career, he's netted five goals against the Hornets, versus no other side has he scored more.
• Michail Antonio has been involved in 78 per cent of West Ham's Premier League goals since the restart (7/9), scoring six and assisting one. He netted all four of their goals in their 4-0 win at Norwich last time out, doubling his Premier League tally for the season.

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