Match Pack: Watford v Chesterfield

• Watford v Chesterfield
• Emirates FA Cup third round
• Vicarage Road
• Saturday January 6, 3pm KO
• Yellow and black home kit

• Referee: Gavin Ward
• Assistant Referees: Lee Venamore and Adam Crysell
• Fourth Official: Sam Allison

Chesterfield are currently sitting pretty at the top of the National League table, boasting a seven-point gap over nearest rivals Bromley with two games in hand.

The Spireites have dropped points just five times this season, winning 20 of their 25 league matches while losing three and drawing twice.

Paul Cook’s side came from 2-0 down to beat Solihull Moors 3-2 on New Year’s Day, after the same opposition had handed them a rare defeat with a 2-0 success on Boxing Day.

Cook was appointed for his second spell as manager in February 2022, seven years after he first departed, and looks well placed to take Chesterfield back into League Two following their relegation in 2018.

• Chesterfield’s longest streak without a victory this season is just two matches – after they drew with Oldham Athletic and lost to Altrincham in August.

• The Hornets have not won an FA Cup tie since the 2019 season when they reached the final, following third-round defeats in each of the last four years.

• Chesterfield have not conceded a goal in their three FA Cup matches to date this season, scoring seven times.

Colombian forward Jorge Hurtado is in contention to make his Watford debut after returning from his loan at New York Red Bulls.

The Hornets will remain without Jeremy Ngakia tomorrow due to a long-term ankle problem, while Jamal Lewis will continue to miss out with a hamstring strain.

Ken Sema will also be absent while Edo Kayembe has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations with Democratic Republic of Congo.

Vakoun Bayo will serve the second match of his three-game suspension following his red card against Stoke City.

Chesterfield captain Jamie Grimes is suspended but fellow defender Tyrone Williams could return.

Valérien Ismaël, Watford Head Coach:

"It’s a challenge and we know that every cup game is difficult. We have to be very professional and play on our level.

"It’s a big competition, it’s a tradition. We want to respect the FA Cup. We want to come through."

Danny Webb, Chesterfield Assistant Manager:

"We have to be ready to maybe run a bit harder, play a bit better, and make sure we are really focused because there is a tough task at hand.

"If we do cause an upset, fantastic. If we do get defeated, we’ve got a huge game on Wednesday against Gateshead."

Overall:

Won: 6
Drawn: 5
Lost: 3

Last Six:

January 1998: Chesterfield 0-1 Watford (Division Two)
September 1997: Watford 2-1 Chesterfield (Division Two)
April 1997: Watford 0-2 Chesterfield (Division Two)
April 1997: Chesterfield 0-0 Watford (Division Two)
March 1979: Watford 2-0 Chesterfield (Division Three)
October 1978: Watford 2-0 Chesterfield (Division Three)

Gifton Noel-Williams rounded the goalkeeper to give the Hornets a 1-0 victory in the last meeting between the two sides, a Division Two clash in January 1998 at Saltergate.