Match Pack: Watford v Brentford

• Watford v Brentford
• Premier League
• Vicarage Road
• Saturday April 16, 3pm BST

Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Simon Long, Derek Eaton
Fourth Official: Michael Salisbury
VAR: Graham Scott
Assistant VAR: Darren Cann

Brentford have overcome a poor run of form to hit their stride going into the season run-in, winning four of their last five games. Thomas Frank's Bees are now 12 points clear of the relegation zone, and are enjoying a successful debut Premier League campaign.

• Emmanuel Dennis and Kiko Femenía are equal on five assists this season, making the top 20 in the league so far. The Nigerian forward is also joint 15th for top-flight goals (9).

• Bryan Mbeumo has assisted in each of his last three Premier League appearances for Brentford (4 in total).

• This will be the first ever managerial meeting between Watford manager Roy Hodgson and Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

For the full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: The Bees In Numbers.

Cucho Hernández will miss out on the clash with the Bees due to a hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's defeat to Leeds, and is likely to be absent for the rest of the season.

Samuel Kalu, William Troost-Ekong and Francisco Sierralta are also absent due to minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Brentford's Josh Dasilva has returned from a hamstring injury to be back in contention, and captain Pontus Jansson has recovered from illness. Frank Onyeka is still recovering from his ankle injury.

Roy Hodgson, Watford manager:

“We are conscious of the fact that this is another opportunity for us. It’s an equally difficult task, we knew Leeds were going to be hard to beat and we know Brentford are going to be hard to beat. The opportunity exists for us and we are fully aware that unless we start getting three points from some of these games we’re going to slip further behind the teams we’re chasing.

“We’re aware of our task, and now it’s very important that the players go out and show everybody, the club, the fans, that they are 100 per cent behind this survival fight.”

Thomas Frank, Brentford Head Coach:

“I expect Watford to come flying out. I saw the game against Leeds, they were unlucky and were a tinier bit better than them. Leeds got lucky with two top goals.”

Overall:

• Won: 26
  
• Drawn: 26
  
• Lost: 22
  

Last Six:
December 2021: Brentford 2-1 Watford (Premier League)
May 2021: Brentford 2-0 Watford (Championship)
December 2020: Watford 1-1 Brentford (Championship)
February 2015: Brentford 1-2 Watford (Championship)
September 2014: Watford 2-1 Brentford (Championship)
January 1998: Brentford 1-2 Watford (Division 2)

Matěj Vydra's stunning strike gave Watford all three points against the Bees in 2014, with a delighted (but injured) Troy Deeney on commentary.