August 23 2018

Andros Townsend

As Crystal Palace look to get back to winning ways against Watford this Sunday, Hunter Young identifies where the game will be won and lost.

Palace are aiming for a bounce-back week after a home defeat to Liverpool, but face a challenging trip to Vicarage Road against Watford. Watford have had a dream start to the season securing wins in their first two games against Brighton and Burnley.

The pressure will be on Watford to pick up three points against the Eagles as three of their next four league matches come against members of the Premier League’s top six.

Andros Townsend v Jose Holebas

Jose Holebas is somewhat similar to Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt in that he is not afraid to push up the field and get involved in the attack. The Greek is a skilled crosser with two assists to his name already this season after tying for the most in the club last season. However, the play style of Holebas leaves space behind him that his lack of pace, at age 34, makes it very difficult for him to cover.

Andros Townsend will be the man looking to exploit the defensive weaknesses of Holebas as his deployment on the right of the midfield will put him head-to-head against the full back. Townsend will likely be looking to get on the scoresheet this week after coming inches from notching against Liverpool when his long-range shot bounced of the crossbar after beating the keeper.

James McArthur v Abdoulaye Doucoure

Abdoulaye Doucoure is without a doubt the engine that makes the Watford midfield work. The Frenchman led the team in goals, tackles, passes, and interceptions last season. Doucoure played a key role in last week’s win over Burnley, assisting the goal that put the Hornets in the lead for good. The partnership Doucoure forms with Will Hughes is a solid pairing that can challenge Palace’s midfield.

James McArthur will have to put in a good performance against Watford in his bid to keep his place in the first-choice 11. New signing Cheikhou Kouyate has been restricted to the bench so far this season, but a poor performance from the Scotsman could open the door for Kouyate. Limiting Doucoure’s influence on the pitch will not only go a long way towards McArthur keeping his place but helping Palace secure a win as well.

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Joel Ward v Roberto Pereyra

Roberto Pereyra got off to a firecracker start to the season, scoring a brace in the Hornets' opening day victory over Brighton, and despite not scoring last week, he played the whole 90 minutes. The Argentine left midfielder is also a crafty passer and will be looking to play in strikers Troy Deeney and Andre Grey as well as put himself in position to put the ball in the back of the net.

After losing the right-back competition to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pre-season, Joel Ward will likely start the game in Wan-Bissaka’s place after the youngster’s red card last week. Ward will be looking to seize the opportunity to secure a run in the team with the suspension of Wan-Bissaka and the first step will be putting in a strong performance against Watford and Pereyra in particular.