Match Pack: West Ham United v Watford

• West Ham United v Watford
• London Stadium
• Premier League
• Tuesday February 8, 7.45pm GMT
• BT Sport
• Yellow home kit, black shorts

• Referee: Martin Atkinson
• Assistants: Lee Betts, Richard West
• Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
• VAR: Paul Tierney
• Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring

David Moyes’ West Ham are currently fifth in the Premier League and into the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Hammers have enjoyed a thoroughly successful season in league and cup competition so far, also advancing to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.

Watford FC have accepted an offer from West Ham to join their players and staff in wearing pink armbands to celebrate the life of their supporter Isla Caton, a seven-year-old girl who died recently from a rare cancer.

• Three of Watford’s five Premier League wins over West Ham have come away from home, winning in 2006/07, 2016/17 and 2018/19. Their seven away Premier League games against the Hammers have alternated between a defeat and a win each time, losing 3-1 in July 2020 on their last visit.

• West Ham have lost just one of their last 11 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (W6 D4), going down 2-0 at Arsenal in December.

• In Michail Antonio’s last seven Premier League starts against Watford for West Ham he’s scored a brace (Sept 2016), been sent off (Feb 2017), assisted a goal (Feb 2018), been yellow carded (Dec 2018), assisted (May 2019), scored (July 2020) and assisted (Dec 2021).

For a full stats breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: West Ham In Numbers.

Roy Hodgson has no fresh injury concerns following the draw at Burnley last weekend. Emmanuel Dennis is back having served a one-game suspension, and long-term absentee Nicolas Nkoulou remains out.

Michail Antonio is back for the hosts, but Manuel Lanzini and Arthur Masuaku may miss out.

Roy Hodgson, Watford manager:

“To get a point away from home at a difficult venue like Burnley has got to be seen as a step in the right direction for us. I think it was important after having seven or eight days working with the players, trying to establish a relationship with them and getting them to understand some of the principles we think will be important going forward. It was really nice to see that they could take that into the game and produce the result. There are no negatives from that game but it is a small step along the way.

“I thought their discipline, their desire [satisfied me], I’ve used the word resilience and I’ll use it again, you need that in those conditions against a well-drilled Burnley team who have been doing what they do so well for so many years. It asked a lot of questions of some of the players who haven’t had much experience in the Premier League, so I was very pleased with the way they went about their business.

“[West Ham’s season] has been excellent, I’m not at all surprised. I know the way David works, and the members of his staff. He’s a very good manager and has found himself a club that is taking full advantage of his management skill.”

David Moyes, West Ham manager:

“I don't think I’ll be [managing when I'm 74]! All I can say is that his love for the game is incredible, and to have any level of success or longevity you have to have a huge love of the game. Roy has shown he’s got that.

“If there's anybody who can help Watford stay up, Roy Hodgson would be the name I’d pick. He’s a really good coach and someone who’s managed at all different levels. Watford have given themselves a really good chance of staying up.

“Right away he made an impact. When you’re not doing well, you have to stop conceding goals, because scoring goals is never easy. Defensively, in his first game, he got them organised and they got a good clean sheet.”

Overall:

• Won: 21
  
• Drawn: 13
  
• Lost: 46
  

Last Six:

December 2021: Watford 1-4 West Ham United (Premier League)
July 2020: West Ham United 3-1 Watford (Premier League)
August 2019: Watford 1-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
May 2019: Watford 1-4 West Ham United (Premier League)
December 2018: West Ham United 0-2 Watford (Premier League)
February 2018: West Ham United 2-0 Watford (Premier League)

Watford overcame a 2-0 deficit in 2016, with goals from Odion Ighalo, Troy Deeney, Étienne Capoue and José Holebas earning an excellent 4-2 away win.