Xisco Munoz is expecting a tough match when Watford go head-to-head with Barnsley at Vicarage Road this evening.

The Hornets were beaten 1-0 at Oakwell in the reverse fixture earlier this season under former head coach Vladimir Ivic, but their home form has been much better than their patchy away record.

Nevertheless, Munoz is still expecting to come up against an "intense team" and could rotate his side as he hopes to keep his squad fresh during a busy run of fixtures.

“Wow, this will be a difficult game,” he told the club website. “They have a good squad and they work really hard. They are aggressive with the ball and they are an intense team. We know we have a difficult game and when we play at home, we give one per cent more. We have to take the points and we are waiting for a big game.”

Watford Observer: Picture: PAPicture: PA

The head coach said it is difficult for him to pick his team at the moment, given the amount of games he has to consider and the impressive form some of them are showing.

“Yes, it's very difficult to pick the team,” he said. “But we have so many games and we need the players in the best condition for all the games. We have a squad of excellent players and now is the moment to think about the team and have everyone in the same way.”