Watford Preview

After the mid-week Carling Cup disappointment (read farce), a trip to Vicarage Road is up next to face a Watford side who seem to be facing issues not too dissimilar to Charlton. Relegated from the Premiership, they too flattered to deceive in their first season back in the Championship and were lucky to claim a play-off place following a horrible run of results at the back end of last term. They are also beginning to feel the financial implications and have had to offload some of their more prized assets such as Darius Henderson and Dan Shittu over the summer.

So what to make of Saturday's game? If the form book is anything to go by then it's a nailed on draw, with nothing to separate the sides in the last four meetings. Last year's encounter was a fairly scrappy affair played in atrocious conditions, a Darren Ambrose goal rescuing a point for the Addicks having gone 1-0 down. Ambrose won't be available for selection tomorrow but Pardew is left with some interesting choices to make.

At the back, there is nothing to suggest that Weaver won't be recalled to the side after being rested mid-week. At centre half Pards most certainly doesn't have a selection headache where Fortune and Hudson will surely start ... assuming (and praying) they are both fit of course. Positive reports on Basey from the Yeovil game but I expect Youga to retain his place at left back, although Pardew needs to ensure his casual style of play is kept in check. Right back presents more of a dilemma - recall the available again Moutaouakil or carry on playing Semedo? I am inclined to think that Pardew will keep the faith with Semedo for this one after Yassin's mid-week foray was apparently less than successful.

Midfield is a tricky one and an issue that New York Addick has covered extremely well in his latest post. Bouazza (on the right) and Bailey should both be making their full debuts in my opinion, with the added incentive of a return to his old club for the former. Has Bailey had enough time with the team to go straight into a match like this? I'm not sure, but from the reports I've read he is exactly what we need in the middle of the park. Who accompanies him again raises questions. On this occasion I would go for the experience of Holland, more as a calming influence and figure of seniority than anything else. On the left, I would stick with Thomas for now (although Basey could well lay a decent claim to this spot) but according to AP's latest comments he may well be on his way out along with ZZ. Up front, Varney and Gray to start again.

All in, my starting XI would look like this: Weaver; Semedo, Fortune, Hudson, Youga; Bouazza, Holland, Bailey, Thomas; Gray, Varney. Subs: Elliot, Basey, Racon, Sam, Dickson

Does either team have it in them to win it? It's too close to call, I just hope the men in red can react to the Yeovil result in the best way possible. I can't make it along on Saturday (I'm still drying off from the last season's trip) but if you're going along then enjoy the game and hopefully there will be smiles all round come 5pm.