The 3 key battles as Watford host West Ham in the Premier League this evening

Troy Deeney vs Jose Fonte

It took Troy Deeney just under three months to net his 100th goal for Watford, but it seems to have taken the pressure off his shoulders as he has been in fine form in recent weeks.

The Englishman netted the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, having scored his 99th all the way back on October 1, but has since then returned to his early season form in front of goal, netting three goals in his last four Premier League games.

They’ve been key goals as well, netting what turned out to be the winner at Arsenal and the opener in their 2-1 victory over Burnley, so it’s clear that Deeney has certainly got his mojo back after a tricky spell during the autumn.

And that will not be music to the ears of West Ham defender Jose Fonte, who has made a solid if unspectacular start to life at the London Stadium after his move from Southampton last month.

The Portuguese international, who helped his country to Euro 2016 glory last year, ended his seven-year stay at St Mary’s in January by securing an £8 million move to West Ham, where he has immediately gone into the backline.

Although he has yet to be part of a Hammers defence which has kept a clean sheet, his quality is undoubted after several excellent years in the Premier League, and he’ll relish the prospect of facing a strong and powerful Deeney on Saturday.

Much in the same way as Carroll and Prodl, whoever comes out on top in this battle could well be on the winning side come the final whistle.