Match Info
- Watford v Leicester City
- Premier League
- Vicarage Road
- Sunday May 15, 2pm BST
Officials
- Referee: Jarred Gillett
- Assistants: Lee Betts, Timothy Wood
- Fourth Official: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Michael Salisbury
- Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall
Opposition
The teams have met twice this season already, with Leicester earning a 4-2 win in snowy conditions in the league before triumphing 4-1 in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup in January.
In the Premier League Brendan Rodgers’ men had been on a run of five games without victory until Wednesday night (May 11), when they beat Norwich City 3-0 on home soil to move up to 10th in the table.
In Europe, the Foxes beat the likes of Rennes and PSV Eindhoven en route to the Europa Conference League semi-finals, but they ultimately missed out on a spot in the showpiece as a result of a 2-1 loss to José Mourinho’s Roma over two legs.
For more on the opposition, click HERE.
Key Stats
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Watford have lost just two of their last 11 home league games against Leicester City (W7, D2), and are unbeaten in their last four (W3, D1).
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The Foxes are looking to complete the Premier League double over Watford for just the second time, previously doing so in their 2015/16 title-winning campaign.
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This exact fixture finished 1-1 the last time it was played (June 2020), despite Ben Chilwell opening the scoring for Leicester in the 90th minute. It’s one of just two Premier League games to finish 1-1 despite being goalless going into the last minute, along with Arsenal v Liverpool in April 2011.
For the full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Leicester City In Numbers.
Team News
The Hornets’ João Pedro will be assessed ahead of the match. The Brazilian picked up a knock during Wednesday’s goalless draw with Everton but it is hoped he will be available for the Foxes’ visit.
Hassane Kamara is available having served a one-match suspension following his sending off at Crystal Palace, and Kwadwo Baah has returned from international duty with Germany Under-19s.
Nicolas Nkoulou (groin) has returned to training and could be available this weekend.
Kiko Femenía and Joshua King are both still suffering from sickness, while Tom Cleverley (ribs), Emmanuel Dennis (knee), Shaq Forde (ankle), Cucho Hernández (hamstring), Juraj Kucka (knee), Imrân Louza (knee) and Ismaïla Sarr (knee) all remain sidelined by injury.
For Leicester City, defender Wesley Fofana could return, while goalkeeper Danny Ward is in contention as well.
What Are They Saying
Roy Hodgson, Watford manager:
“The really pleasing thing [against Everton] was the team unity and the team spirit, and the fact that everybody was doing their level best to do what we have been asking them. The way they played the other night is what we have been preaching from the very first day, and of course we have seen it before in other games.
“I’m really happy to give those boys that played against Everton another go. If anything, they deserve it. I’m not crying or bleating about the situation – I’m actually quite looking forward to it.
“If the team was to pull the victory off against Leicester City it would be a tribute to them, and I would be delighted.”
Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City manager:
“He’s such a role model for us all, Roy. He’s proven over many years that he’s a top-level coach. I’ve always enjoyed our conversations when I’ve met him, and I’ve always learned from him. If you look at Roy’s career, it’s been phenomenal.
“It’s this stage of the season where, whatever the game or opponent, I always want us to have the mindset to push right to the very end. It’s irrelevant what the other team brings. We want to play to a high level and to the tempo that we did in the second half [v Norwich].”
Head-to-Head
Overall:
Won: 21
Drawn: 18
Lost: 32
Last Six:
January 2022: Leicester City 4-1 Watford (Emirates FA Cup)
November 2021: Leicester City 4-2 Watford (Premier League)
June 2020: Watford 1-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
December 2019: Leicester City 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
March 2019: Watford 2-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
December 2018: Leicester City 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
Golden Flashback
Matěj Vydra's double and Troy Deeney's memorable strike secured Watford's place in the play-off final after a 3-1 victory in 2013.
