Watford defender Sebastian Prödl stresses the Hornets must remain wary of the threat of relegation despite the club sitting tenth in the Premier League table.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have exceeded expectations this term and sit ten points clear of the drop zone with 13 top flight games to play.

It seems fanciful Watford could be dragged into a relegation battle despite the Hornets winning just once in their last eight league games – that run of fixtures has included two matches against Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tomorrow Watford travel to Crystal Palace who have themselves struggled in recent weeks and Prödl believes it offers the Hornets the chance to kick-start their season.

“We had a very good first half of the season and collected a lot of points which we deserved,” he said.

“Now we have to be careful. We have to get back to our perfect shape to get points. Crystal Palace away is another very difficult game in my opinion. We have to collect points to get rid of any pressure that may come from the teams below.

“At the moment there is no danger. We are comfortable with our situation in the table. We’re tenth and it’s very good for a team who got promoted last year.

“But, as we all know, the Premier League is very difficult. There are a lot of good teams below us in the league so we have to be careful.”

Palace go into tomorrow’s game without a win in their last eight Premier League matches. Alan Pardew’s side have scored just three goals in that run of games and are without influential wingers Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon.

It appears to be the perfect time to face the Eagles but Prödl is not expecting an easy game at Selhurst Park.

“We’re close in the table and have had a similar season,” the centre-back explained. “I think the game will be a very close result. Maybe one or two goals between the teams.”

With Miguel Britos struggling for fitness Prödl is likely to come up against striker Emmanuel Adebayor against Palace.

Watford held an interest in the Togo international earlier in the campaign but opted against signing the 31-year-old.

“Adebayor is an outstanding name but their whole attack is, for me, very good. So we have to be careful,” Prödl said.

“We played them in September or October and it was a very hard game because you don’t have that much space to play against them and they are very organised.”

The 28-year-old is not afraid of engaging in a physical battle with strikers. He has proven that this season on more than one occasion, the latest of which was against Chelsea striker Diego Costa last week.

“I like players like this,” Prödl said. “I don’t know why all the spectators don’t like Costa. I like him and I like the style of his play. He’s not a naughty boy as everyone says.

“He shakes your hand and says sorry for the stuff he’s doing during the game. It is a respectful duel. If a striker players rough I will play rough too.”