Home form could be key in Watford’s attempts to maintain their top flight status, says head coach Javi Gracia.

The Hornets play Everton and West Brom at Vicarage Road in consecutive weekends and the fixtures look to be important ones in shaping the remainder of the campaign.

Gracia’s only home game so far ended in a memorable 4-1 defeat of Chelsea and saw the new boss get off to the perfect start to life at the Vic helm.

With testing visits to Arsenal and Liverpool coming up after the two home games, Gracia understands the importance of taking points off the Toffees and Baggies.

He said: “It is very important we continue with the support of our fans and these next two games we need them and need these points against Everton and West Brom.

“After we have difficult matches away against Arsenal and Liverpool, so we need these points and it is very important the supporters help the team.”

Watford face a number of teams near the foot of the table in their run in and the majority of those games come at home, meaning home comforts could be key to their hopes.

Gracia wants to get points on the board as soon as possible in order to avoid needing wins late in the campaign.

He said: “For me, the next two games are important because there are no differences between many teams.

“In 11 matches we need to have a better performance and play as well as possible because we need the points.

“I don’t want to feel after three, four or five matches that the situation is more complicated.”