Watford will hope to bounce back from Saturday’s loss to Burnley at Crystal Palace tonight, but will have to overturn an unfavourable recent record to do so.

Palace have been the architects of some of the Hornets’ most painful losses over the past few years, most notably in the 2016 FA Cup semi-final and 2013 Championship play-off final.

Their last meeting also ended in defeat, as Troy Deeney turned into his own net to give the Eagles a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park in March, and Watford have won just two of their last 14 meetings with Palace.

Watford were insipid under Walter Mazzarri at Palace last season, but come into today’s game in far better shape than their rivals, who are among the frontrunners to be relegated.

Roy Hodgson has added grit to a side which started the season with seven straight defeats and the South Londoners are five games unbeaten in the league.

That run does, however, feature only a solitary win, a 2-1 defeat of Stoke at the end of November, and they are rooted to the foot of the table.

Watford, meanwhile, arrive at Selhurst Park ninth in the table and enjoying life under Marco Silva.

One point from their last three games has taken the sheen of matters a little, but Silva can be pleased with his side’s efforts so far this term.

With Marvin Zeegelaar suspended and both Kiko Femenia and Miguel Britos doubts, the Vicarage Road club could well face a shortage of defensive options.

Silva revealed Femenia is closer to a return after missing the trip to Turf Moor but says neither he nor Britos is certain to feature.

Such defensive shortcomings will only spur Palace on and the likes of Wilfried Zaha will relish coming up against an unfamiliar defensive unit.

Palace have their own concerns at the back and will be without the hugely influential figure of Mamadou Sakho who is expected to miss a number of weeks.

Joel Ward is also set to miss out due to a calf injury, but Yohan Cabaye will be fit to feature.