Preview: Watford vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Foxes hold an 11-point lead in first place, Watford have recently dropped down to 11th spot after a recent poor run of form.

Match preview

There have been times in recent weeks when the perception has been that Leicester have dropped off a level, perhaps a consequence of their dominance since August.

However, Leicester have now won six of their last eight matches in all competitions, losing to Coventry City when down to 10 men and conceding a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with promotion rivals Ipswich Town.

Since the latter of those results, 11 goals have been scored in victories over Birmingham City, Swansea City and Stoke City for the loss of just one goal.

At Stoke last weekend, the Foxes stormed to a 5-0 triumph, ruthlessly putting the Potters to the sword to reaffirm that they remain a class above their rivals this campaign.

With a 12-point lead over third spot, Enzo Maresca will demand that the East Midlands outfit show no let-up, especially on their travels where they have won 11 of 15 matches in the league.

From Watford's perspective, they are currently enduring what could prove to be a costly run in their bid to make a late dart for the top six.

Just one victory has been posted in seven outings, that success away at Queens Park Rangers, with defeats coming at home to Bristol City and Cardiff City.

Valerien Ismael's side have recorded draws in the other four fixtures, none of which have been against a direct promotion rival, and the Hornets are now left to try to win games such as this one against the odds.

Ismael will not feel encouraged by the 3-0 reverse to a much-changed Southampton side in the FA Cup in midweek at a time when they are also five league fixtures without a victory at Vicarage Road.

Watford Championship form:

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Watford form (all competitions):

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Leicester City Championship form:

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Leicester City form (all competitions):

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Team News

With none of Watford's much-changed XI doing themselves justice against Southampton, Ismael is likely to largely select the same players who featured versus Cardiff.

Tom Dele-Bashiru and Ken Sema are both in contention to start, while Emmanuel Dennis may get the nod down the centre of the attack.

Leicester will again be without Kelechi Iheanacho after Nigeria reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Jannik Vestergaard is a fitness doubt with youngster Ben Nelson on standby to make his first start in the Championship.

While Dennis Praet is an option in midfield, Kasey McAteer is expected to get the nod in a creative role.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Hamer; Andrews, Pollock, Hoedt, Lewis; Livermore; Martins, Kone, Chakvetadze, Asprilla; Dennis

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Nelson, Doyle; Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; Fatawu, McAteer, Mavididi; Daka

We say: Watford 1-3 Leicester City

Having being outclassed against the second-placed team in the division on Tuesday, Watford would ideally not want to be facing the leaders next. Although a competitive encounter could ensue, Leicester should have enough quality in the final third to come through with the win.

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