Watford will look to go against recent form and secure a confidence boosting victory over Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road today.

The Hornets have won just one of their last eight meetings against the Eagles – a 2-1 success on the road in February 2016 – and the Selhurst Park club has become somewhat of a bogey team for Watford.

That run includes some of the more painful losses of Watford’s recent history, with Palace overcoming the Golden Boys in the 2016 FA Cup semi-final and 2013 Championship play-off showpiece.

While today’s opposition are three points and four places below Watford in the league, they arrive at the Vic in high spirits after a run of one loss in their last four games.

That run has allowed Roy Hodgson’s men to move six points clear of the bottom three and they look set to pull off a survival act which looked unlikely at the start of the season.

The Eagles lost their first seven games of the season but Hodgson has been able to right a sinking ship since taking over.

He has got the best out of Wilfried Zaha, who can expect a less than accommodating reception from the home fans after a history of supposed dives against the Hornets, and the wide man could well be key.

Javi Gracia is convinced his defence will be able to contain the number 11, but history this season suggests otherwise after a campaign which has seen Watford struggle against pace.

They should at least be able to call on the services of Jose Holebas again after the full-back missed the trip to Huddersfield Town with a back complaint.

Gracia’s plans have though been complicated with a spate of illness which has swept through the Watford dressing room in the week.

Sebastian Prodl is expected to miss out after suffering with a stomach virus which effected three other players Gracia refused to name.