Former Watford midfielder predicts cagey affair at Crystal Palace

Ex-Watford midfielder Derek Payne has looked ahead to The Hornet’s trip to Selhurst Park this Saturday where Nigel Pearson’s men take on Crystal Palace.

Ever since Nigel Pearson took the reigns there has been a drastic increase in morale around Vicarage Road. The former Leicester boss has overseen wins against Manchester United and most recently a memorable 3-0 win over runaway league leaders Liverpool.

Last week’s triumph over Jürgen Klopp’s side lifted the Hornets out of the relegation zone, with Watford value for money for their win. Starting on the front foot, Pearson’s Watford didn’t cower to the Champions elect, instead taking the game to them and reaping the benefits with Ismaïla Sarr notching a brace before Troy Deeney capped off a superb win.

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This weekend’s opponents, Crystal Palace, have quietly been going about their business, securing some vital victories of their own. Their 1-0 win away to fierce rivals Brighton last time out will see them approach this tie with confidence back at their own patch.

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Speaking to the Crystal Palace fan show on Love Sport Radio, former Watford midfielder Derek Payne previewed this weekend’s clash and how the sides could seek to exploit each other's weaknesses.

“I feel like with the Crystal Palace games and obviously seeing them over the last few seasons, they're always kind of tight and they're always kind of cagey at Crystal Palace. I think the players kind of know each other really well, both sets of players, because of since the playoffs and the FA Cup and them tight games.

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"I think Watford will go there knowing it's going to be quite cagey. Both sides play similar systems- four-five-one, four-three-three out of possession. So I think the key is who wins that middle of the pitch because I think it's going to come down to the wide players who wins this game, because obviously Zaha and Ayew at your place and then you got Sarr who's been outstanding and probably Pereyra now.

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“I think they'll go there and know it's cagey but they will look to to use them wide areas to try and get something out of the game. They won't come negative. But they'll definitely know it's going to be a cagey game because they usually are at Crystal Palace.”

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