Watford play host to Sunderland on Saturday afternoon looking to end the season on a high having appointed Tom Cleverley as their permanent head coach.
The Hornets sit just three points adrift of their 13th-placed opponents in the standings, the Black Cats still having aspirations of a top-half finish.
Match preview
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Putting together a six-match streak without a win is not normally a method to earn a permanent managerial contract these days, but it has proven enough for Cleverley to be handed the reins at Vicarage Road.
That aforementioned run requires some context with five draws having been recorded, all of which have been against teams in the top 10 of the table.
Prior to that, Cleverley's first game ended in a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City, with his only defeat coming in last-gasp fashion at Southampton.
In the long run, this is a Hornets side that has won just two of their last 17 matches in the Championship, yet there is confidence that Cleverley can instigate a promotion charge next season.
However, the former midfielder will first want to end 2023-24 on a high, with Watford concluding the campaign with this match and a trip to Middlesbrough.
Sunderland are another team that are already thinking about next season after a disappointing campaign under a number of different managers.
Mike Dodds has brought some short-term relief at the Stadium of Light with nine points from the last seven games, enough to keep Sunderland around the mid-table positions.
The Black Cats also have a recent victory at promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion under their belt, yet that has since been forgotten on the back of losing at home to Millwall.
While Sunderland head into this contest having won just six of their 22 away games this season, seven points have been collected from their last three fixtures on their travels.
Team News
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Barring any late fitness issues, Cleverley could opt to select the Watford side that earned a goalless draw with in-form Hull City last weekend.
If a change is made in attack, Mileta Rajovic may be deployed down the centre and Yaser Asprilla moved to a deeper or wider position, but Jeremy Ngakia and Giorgi Chakvetadze are sidelined through injury.
Any alterations to the Sunderland XI may come in attack with Romaine Mundle and Abdoullah Ba both in contention.
Bradley Dack has not played more than 45 minutes in a single game this year and could drop out, while Chris Rigg may also come out of the side.
Luis Semedo has barely been used of late, but the youngster could be provided with a run-out with next season in mind.
Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Porteous, Sierralta, Hoedt; Andrews, Kone, Kayembe, Lewis; Bayo, Asprilla, Dennis
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; O'Nien, Ballard, Alese; Pembele, Ekwah, Bellingham, Styles; Mundle, Semedo, Clarke
We say: Watford 1-1 Sunderland
Wins have been in short supply for both teams of late and we certainly do not expect many goals in this contest. Both teams may feel content not to suffer defeat, leading us to predict a dull stalemate at Vicarage Road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
