Watford v Wolves: odds, form, tactics, team news, stats & verdict

TV details

BT Sport 2, 4pm Sunday

Match odds

7-5 Wolves Betfair, Betway, BoyleSports
9-4 Watford Betfred
23-10 Draw Betfred

Form

The last six matches for Wolves is a nice glimpse into their season as a whole – they have beaten Manchester United twice and drawn at Chelsea but also lost without scoring at Huddersfield and Burnley.

Wolves have become known as a team who can slay the giants and at the same time get a little bit stuck against the smaller sides in the division but Nuno's men will surely be buzzing having come from behind to serve it up to United at Molineux on Tuesday.

Watford romped to a 4-1 win over Fulham to relegate the Cottagers in midweek, a result which followed at excellent performance at Old Trafford, where their 2-1 defeat was harsh.

The Hornets smashed in eight shots on target away to the Red Devils and in their last 22 matches the only teams to have beaten Javi Gracia's side are United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool.

Tactics

Both sides have a clearly defined tactical shape so there are unlikely to be any surprises, or at least that was the case until Watford changed to a back three for the second half against Fulham.

Usually Watford play a 4-4-2 formation with a box midfield which sees Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue sitting back, with Will Hughes and Roberto Pereyra tucked in high and narrow.

Midfield is going to be key with Wolves fielding their Portuguese aces Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves against Doucoure, who is the kingpin of the Hornets' 11.

Watford were deserving 2-0 winners at Molineux in October, two first-half goals 58 seconds apart proving decisive, but Wolves have changed shape since then as they evolve from last season's promotion-winning side of 3-4-3.

Now it's very much 3-5-2. Leander Dendoncker has helped to stiffen up midfield at the expense of Helder Costa, Adama Traore or Ivan Cavaleiro, while Diogo Jota is thriving alongside Raul Jimenez in attack.

Injury news

Watford are hoping that Pereyra, Isaac Success and Tom Cleverley recover from minor knocks and Gracia must decide whether to stick with reserve keeper Heurelho Gomes. The eccentric Brazilian has played in every round of this season's FA Cup run instead of Ben Foster.

Nuno has every player available. Back-up goalie John Ruddy, who has been Wanderers' FA Cup keeper, is expected to oust regular number one Rui Patricio once again.

Verdict

There is barely anything between these sides in the Premier League table – Wolves are one point better off in seventh after 32 matches – and that could be evident at Wembley where the best bet may be under 2.5 goals.

It looks set to be a tight encounter with Wolves deservedly narrow favourites as they possess a touch more class in the final third, but they may need extra-time or penalties to pull through. Draw 1-1.

Key stats

• Watford are unbeaten in their last 16 matches against teams from outside the Premier League's big six.
• The Hornets have notched in 19 of their last 22 games.
• At least one of Jimenez or Jota has scored in eight of the last ten matches they have started together.
• Seven of Wolves's last nine matches have featured under 2.5 goals.

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