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

At a time when the Hornets sit in seventh position in the Championship standings, Swansea are in 11th spot, albeit only two points adrift of their hosts.

Match preview

Despite displaying yet another ruthless streak in parting ways with Rob Edwards last week, the Watford board would have felt that a win away at Stoke City would quickly end any lingering talk about their decision.

The fixture at the bet365 Stadium could not have gone any better for the Pozzo family as the Hornets recorded a superb 4-0 success over a Potters side who had previously kept two clean sheets in succession.

Even without Joao Pedro in the side, Watford ran riot with four of their most talented attacking players all getting on the scoresheet, most notably Ismaila Sarr on his return from injury.

A switch to a back four should, in theory, lead to more exciting performances from Watford going forward, and Bilic will be confident about getting the best out of this group of players.

However, ahead of a meeting with Norwich City on October 15, Bilic will feel that it is imperative that further wins come against Swansea and Blackpool.

Beating the Swans is far from a foregone conclusion with Russell Martin finally starting to get some positive results out of his talented squad.

Collecting 10 points from a possible 15 has catapulted the Welsh outfit into the top half of the table, their latest success coming at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Despite being 2-1 adrift with 20 minutes remaining, Swansea rallied and benefitted from a missed penalty to prevail by a 3-2 scoreline, Michael Obafemi netting the winner in the 89th minute.

Now sitting just three points adrift of fourth spot, the foundations have been laid for a much improved campaign just as it felt like Martin was entering a crossroads period at the club.

Watford Championship form:

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Swansea City Championship form:

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Team News

Barring any fitness concerns arising from the win at Stoke, Bilic may see no reason to make any changes to his Watford XI.

Although Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Imran Louza both made impacts as substitutes, they will likely have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

If Pedro recovers from a calf injury, the Brazilian will also be selected on the bench.

Olivier Ntcham will expect to start for Swansea after contributing a goal and an assist as a substitute versus the Baggies at the weekend.

Jay Fulton could drop out of the side, although he may be deployed in central midfield if Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Luke Cundle is only selected on the substitutes' bench.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Gasper, Kabasele, Sierralta, Kamara; Choudhury, Kayembe; Sarr, Asprilla, Sema; Davis

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Benda; Wood, Naughton, Cabango; Sorinola, Cundle, Grimes, Manning; Ntcham, Cooper; Piroe

We say: Watford 2-1 Swansea City

Despite their emphatic victory on Sunday, Watford now go up against a team who can claim to be a side very much on the up. Nevertheless, we still feel that the Hornets will do enough to get another three points on the board, giving the board further satisfaction after their decision to make a change in the dugout.

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