Watford vs Sunderland: Preview & Prediction

Watford come into their final match of the season against Sunderland knowing that it will be Quique Sanchez Flores’ last game in charge of the Hornets.

It was announced on Friday that the Spaniard will part company with the club following Sunday’s fixture, despite a good season back in the Premier League where they could still finish as high as 11th, as well as reaching an FA Cup semi-final, where they were beaten by Crystal Palace.

The Hornets have endured a disappointing 2016 though, and will want to end their manager’s reign in style against relegation survivors Sunderland this weekend after they suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Norwich in midweek.

The Black Cats secured their position in the Premier League for next season with a comfortable 3-0 win against Everton at the Stadium of Light, which relegated Norwich and their arch-rivals, Newcastle United, despite the fact that Sam Allardyce’s men spent the majority of the campaign in the bottom three.

They have their star striker Jermain Defoe to thank for their survival – his 15 goals have been so precious this term and the former Spurs man still believes he could be a surprise inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the European Championships next month, following the news that Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Team News:

Watford will be without the midfield duo of Valon Behrami and Etienne Capoue, with both set to miss the last game of the season with rib and knee injuries respectively.

Sunderland come into this game under little pressure after securing Premier League safety, and Allardyce has confirmed that he will promote some of the Under-21 players to the first team squad for the clash at Vicarage Road.

League Positions: Watford – 13th (44 pts); Sunderland – 17th (38 pts)
Previous Meetings: Sunderland 0-1 Watford (December 12, 2015)
Form: Watford – DWLWLL; Sunderland – LWDDWW
Key Men: Watford – Troy Deeney; Sunderland – Jermain Defoe
Shoot Says: Watford 1-2 Sunderland