The background
West Ham United travel to Watford on Saturday as they look to continue their seven-match unbeaten run.
The fine form enjoyed by Slaven Bilic’s men has seen them rise up to third in the Barclays Premier League table – and if results go the Hammers’ way on Saturday they could sit top by 5pm.
West Ham are also defending an unbeaten record on the road, which has seen them win four and draw one of their five away games to date.
Watford are back in the Premier League following their promotion last term and have enjoyed a decent start to life in the top flight again, with 13 points from their opening ten games.
Victory at Stoke City last weekend was their third from the last six matches, with Swansea City and Newcastle United also being stung by the Hornets.
The history
West Ham United enjoy an outstanding record against Watford, having won 40 of the previous 69 meetings.
The Hornets have only defeated West Ham on 17 occasions, with 12 draws being played out by the Clubs.
Of the last 22 league meetings, Watford have only won once, with West Ham taking the spoils 17 times.
The last trip to Vicarage Road was a successful one for the Hammers, as goals from Joey O’Brien, James Tomkins, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole secured a 4-0 victory in the 2011/12 promotion season.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
Slaven Bilic has plenty of options in defence, with all four senior centre halves fit and available for selection after Winston Reid returned to training this week.
Victor Moses is also available again after being ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea last weekend, while Alex Song continues to close in on a comeback from his ankle injury.
Watford
Midfielder Juan Manuel Jurado could return for the Hornets after resuming training this week following a hamstring problem.
However, Joel Ekstrand and Tommie Hoban are out with knee and groin injuries respectively.
Match facts
- Saturday’s referee is Keith Stroud. He will be assisted by Stephen Child and Derek Eaton, while the fourth official is Craig Pawson.
- West Ham are currently enjoying their best start to a top flight season since 1975/76, when they won six and drew three of their opening ten league matches.
- No West Ham United player has been involved in more goals in their first ten Premier League appearancess for the club than Dmitri Payet - five goals, three assists
- West Ham United are unbeaten in their last 11 league visits to Vicarage Road - 8 wins and 3 draws - last suffering a league defeat away to Watford in April 1985
- West Ham United are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches - one short of their record of eight achieved in December 2000 and May 1995
- West Ham United's last visit to Watford ended in a 4-0 Championship victory on 16 August 2011 - the Hammers' biggest league win at Vicarage Road
- Watford pair Valon Behrami and Alessandro Diamanti played alongside one another for West Ham United in the 2009/10 season
- Among those to play for both clubs are Manuel Almunia, Jobi McAnuff, Carl Fletcher, Calum Davenport and David James
Tickets, travel, coverage and other info
- Tickets for this fixture have SOLD OUT.
- Watford Junction station is around a 15 minute journey from London Euston, and is approximately 20 minutes walk to the ground. Watford High Street station, on the London Overground network, is closer to the stadium. Click here for train information.
- Sunny intervals are predicted for kick-off tomorrow, with temperature reaching 14C (57F).
- If you’re not heading to the game, make sure you stay up to date on our digital channels, which will be bringing you the action at it happens from Vicarage Road. Visit the whufc.com match centre for live audio commentary, in-running stats, pictures and more, while you can join the conversation on social using the hashtag #WATWHU.