West Ham v Watford predictions: Roy Hodgson's Hornets may be difficult to breach

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for West Ham United v Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 7.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 13-10 bet365

Team news

West Ham
Angelo Ogbonna remains sidelined while Kurt Zouma is unlikely to feature as the club internally investigate leaked footage of him kicking his cat.

Watford
Emmanuel Dennis returns from suspension but Ismaila Sarr is unlikely to be involved after starting Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final.

Match preview

Watford's 0-0 draw at Burnley on Saturday was their first Premier League clean sheet since February 2020 and the steadying influence of Roy Hodgson should help them stand firm against West Ham at the London Stadium.

Three points cover the bottom four teams but Watford will feel more positive about their survival chances after scrapping to a well-deserved draw in wretched conditions at Turf Moor.

Hodgson looked as happy as anyone could expect to be in the driving rain and his appetite for the occasion was matched by his players.

While Watford mastered the basics at the weekend, West Ham lacked desire and enthusiasm in their FA Cup tie at Kidderminster and were fortunate to see off their non-league hosts.

They will be better against the Hornets with Michail Antonio leading the line, but it could be a close encounter and under 2.5 goals looks the way to go.

Key stat

Three of Watford's last four league games have featured fewer than three goals.

Inside info

West Ham

Penalty taker Michail Antonio
Free-kick wizard Aaron Cresswell
Set-piece aerial threat Tomas Soucek
Card magnet Declan Rice

Watford

Penalty taker Joshua King
Free-kick wizardJuraj Kucka
Set-piece aerial threatSamir
Card magnetJuraj Kucka

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