Slaven Bilic takes his resurgent West Ham side to Watford on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off) looking for a tenth Premier League victory of the season.

The Hammers were lurking perilously close to the relegation zone at the start of December following their 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, but six wins in their 11 league matches since then has propelled them up the Premier League table.

Bilic’s men now sit tenth in the division with 32 points from their 25 matches, which is three places and two points ahead of Walter Mazzarri’s Watford.

The Hornets themselves have been on a fine run, losing just one of their last five league games, although that did come in their last outing away at Manchester United two weeks ago.

Nonetheless, Watford will know that victory at Vicarage Road would take them above the Hammers in the table, although Bilic’s side will seek the win that could take them up to ninth.

In what should be an intriguing encounter at Vicarage Road, we have analysed the THREE key battles which could decide the game on Saturday…

Sebastian Prodl vs Andy Carroll

West Ham striker Andy Carroll missed their 2-2 draw with West Brom two weeks ago with a groin problem, but looks set to be fit and available for the Hammers at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The England international has scored six goals for the club since his return from injury in December, and has been a big part of their recent resurgence in form.

Although Bilic’s men played well against West Brom and almost won the game, there’s no doubt that they missed Carroll’s aerial presence, both offensively and defensively, so Watford’s Sebastian Prodl will be hoping not to go up against the 28-year-old on Saturday.

The Hornets centre-back has started all but two of their 25 Premier League games this term, and has performed reasonably well for a side that have conceded one goal less than West Ham this season.

Clearly, if Carroll does indeed start, Prodl will have to be at his best to thwart the Hammers forward, as any success for Carroll against the Watford man could spell trouble for Mazzarri’s side.

Etienne Capoue vs Pedro Obiang

There will be a fascinating battle in the centre of midfield on Saturday as Watford’s Etienne Capoue will look to get the better of West Ham’s improving midfielder Pedro Obiang.

28-year-old Capoue has been one of the Hornets’ stand-out players this season with consistently high level displays, as well as notching five goals and an assist in his 25 Premier League starts this season.

His ability to retain possession and both launch attacks and take responsibility defensively will come under scrutiny from West Ham’s Obiang, who has had an excellent few weeks for the Hammers.

The Spaniard wasn’t always first choice in the midfield at the beginning of the campaign, but a fine display in the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace and then again in the win at Middlesbrough has propelled him to the top of the pecking order.

His incredible work-rate and ability to break up play and retain the ball has been a key part of the Hammers’ resurgence in recent times, and he’ll once again have to be at his best to dominate against Watford on Saturday.

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.