Liverpool - Match Preview

Early Team News

Watford are expected to include new signings, Will Hoskins and Lee Williamson in their squad whilst Liverpool travel south minus Luis Garcia who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

For a detailed look at the early team news, please click here.

History of the Watford v Liverpool fixture

Watford prepare to entertain Liverpool at Vicarage Road Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday, looking to improve on a disappointing past record against their more illustrious opponents.

The Golden Boys have managed just three home victories in 12 attempts in Hertfordshire and none since a two goal home success in December 1986.

The most recent encounter between these two sides at Vicarage Road Stadium was two seasons ago in January 2005, when a Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool inflicted a narrow one goal Carling Cup Semi-final defeat upon the Golden Boys in a never to-be forgotten tie.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2006/2007	Sat 23 Dec	Liverpool	2-0	Watford	PREM
2004/2005	Tue 25 Jan	Watford	0-1	Liverpool	LGEC
2004/2005	Tue 11 Jan	Liverpool	1-0	Watford	LGEC
1999/2000	Sat 15 Jan	Watford	2-3	Liverpool	PREM
1999/2000	Sat 14 Aug	Liverpool	0-1	Watford	PREM
1987/1988	Sat 13 Feb	Watford	1-4	Liverpool	PREM
1987/1988	Tue 24 Nov	Liverpool	4-0	Watford	PREM

Recent respective form guides

Watford have won, lost and drawn two from their last six home matches. During this spell a total of 9 goals have been scored by the Golden Boys, with six conceded although these figures are somewhat distorted by the Golden Boys crushing 4-1 FA Cup Third Round victory over Coca-Cola League Two outfit, Stockport County last weekend.

Liverpool meanwhile arrive in Hertfordshire on the back of a couple of crushing home defeats at the hands of Arsenal in the two national cup competitions inside the last seven days, including a 6-3 reversal to Arsene Wegner's youthful squad in a dramatic Carling Cup Quarter-Final on Tuesday evening, the Reds' heaviest defeat at Anfield since 1914.

However, Rafael Benitez's side have had a decent run of form away from home recently, coming away with maximum points on three occasions in the last six, drawing once and losing the other two, with these games constituting a decent return of 10 goals and 9 against.

The current Barclays Premiership table sees Watford stuck right at the bottom with only 12 points from 20 played, while Liverpool sit in third spot having collected 40 points from their 22 matches.

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

FootyMad's Prediction…

Although Watford remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership their home form has been very reasonable and here at the Golden Boys we feel Aidy Boothroyd's team are more than capable of springing a surprise to heap more pressure on the increasingly under-fire Liverpool manager, so we are going for a 2-1 home win. Home Win.