- LCFC Radio speaks to Watford Observer Sports Editor, Anthony Matthews
- Leicester City host Watford at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off)
- Matthews believes a positive result is integral for the Hornets after three games without a win
- Live coverage is available on Saturday from 1pm GMT on Saturday afternoon
With Premier League champions Manchester City scheduled to visit Vicarage Road on Tuesday, Saturday’s trip to King Power Stadium carries added incentive, Matthews believes.
Following a superb 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town in October, the Hornets lost 1-0 at Newcastle United before a frustrating 0-0 away stalemate with Southampton.
Last weekend’s 3-0 reverse against 10-man Liverpool, meanwhile, further dented what has been an otherwise impressive start to the 2018/19 season for Javi Gracia’s men.
“It’s still pretty upbeat around the place,” Matthews told LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live programme, which airs from 2pm GMT on Saturday, following Pre-Match Pint.
“The manager signed a new four-a-half-year deal this week, too, with a three-year option on top of that. Considering Watford’s reputation in the media, it goes against the grain somewhat.
“Results have taken a bit of a dip lately but Liverpool in the last game wasn’t too surprising, they often contained them and had a goal disallowed.
“They only took one point from away games against Newcastle and Southampton, which would have been disappointing, but the Newcastle game was a catalyst for them to improve themselves.
“Watford still in the top 10 and it’s a massive month coming up.
“They’ve got Manchester City coming to town next up and they won’t want to go into that on the back of four games without a win, so a positive result at Leicester is important.”
However, Matthews admits that trips to Leicester don't usually end happily for Watford – all the more reason for them to approach Saturday’s clash with a determination to seal a rare victory over City.
He added: “King Power Stadium has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for Watford and, given that the teams are pretty similar, in terms of their league standings, it’s a difficult one.
“Going into it, a lot of fans would take a point but, like it is a lot of the time, a lot of it depends on how the game unfolds.”
Isolating players for the Foxes to be wary of, meanwhile, Matthews highlighted Étienne Capoue’s role in midfield, while also picking our three attacking threats.
“Roberto Pereyra is Watford’s top scorer but he’s gone off the boil in the last couple of weeks, so Watford fans will be looking for a big performance from him again,” he continued.
“Troy Deeney’s back up front and he’s obviously capable of scoring at any time, while Gerard Deulofeu is an interesting one because he’s been played up front in recent weeks.
“He had some very good chances in games against Newcastle and Southampton but didn’t stick them away, but he’s got so much talent so he’s another one.”
LCFC Radio goes live from 1pm GMT on Saturday, taking you right through the clash with Watford and including post-match reaction from King Power Stadium, free of charge.