• Watford v Blackpool
• Sky Bet Championship
• Vicarage Road Stadium
• Saturday January 14, 3pm KO

• Referee: Gavin Ward
• Assistant Referees: Adrian Waters and Robert Hyde
• Fourth Official: Darren Drysdale

Watford FC will mark the sixth anniversary of the passing of our greatest ever manager with the Graham Taylor Matchday against Blackpool.

Over the past few seasons, supporters have raised a scarf in GT’s honour as the players have entered the field before kick-off, and we are delighted to continue this tradition in 2023.

Before the match commences, supporters are invited to hold their scarves aloft to pay tribute to GT and the fantastic work that continues in his name.

The Seasiders travel to Vicarage Road winless in the league since late October, sitting 22nd in the Sky Bet Championship table on 26 points. Since the World Cup break however, they have drawn four and have only lost once in the second tier.

This season, Blackpool have received a staggering seven red cards and fall bottom of the fair play table.

Following a 4-1 victory over Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in the Emirates FA Cup last weekend, the Tangerines will be looking to change their tune in the league to try and avoid the drop.

• Blackpool are looking for their first-ever league double over Watford, following a 3-1 victory at Bloomfield Road earlier this season.

• The Hornets have scored 11 goals in their previous two home Football League games against Blackpool, as many as in their last six such games against the Seasiders (W1 D2 L3).

• The Tangerines are looking to avoid three consecutive defeats against Watford at Vicarage Road in the Football League, having lost on just one of their previous seven visits before then (W3 D3).

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Blackpool In Numbers.

Hamza Choudhury is back training with the Watford squad and will be assessed ahead of the game. Keinan Davis and Edo Kayembe are close to a return but will not be featuring this weekend.

Slaven Bilić is hoping recent arrival Matheus Martins will be available this weekend, as the club await visa confirmation, while new defender João Ferreira is eligible for selection.

Full Watford team news can be found HERE.

For Blackpool, Callum Connolly is back at Michael Appleton’s disposal having served his suspension, with returning loanee Josh Bowler also available.

Slaven Bilić, Watford Head Coach:

“We know playing Blackpool is going to be a big challenge. We always talk about how the Championship is so tight, and there are no games where you can relax. Every team in this division has their own goals.

“They’re a competitive side. We were dominant on the ball, but we lost the last game against them because we couldn’t cope with their counter-attacking and our defending wasn’t good enough, but we know what to do to change that.”

Michael Appleton, Blackpool Head Coach:

“They’ve got good players in their team. I know they’ve got a few injuries, but you’ve only got to look at the top end of the pitch to see how strong they are as a unit.”

Overall:

Won: 9
Drawn: 9
Lost: 8

Last Six:

October 2022: Blackpool 3-1 Watford (Championship)
January 2015: Watford 7-2 Blackpool (Championship)
September 2014: Blackpool 0-1 Watford (Championship)
March 2014: Watford 4-0 Blackpool (Championship)
August 2013: Blackpool 1-0 Watford (Championship)
March 2013: Watford 1-2 Blackpool (Championship)

Watford turned around a 2-0 half-time deficit to win 7-2 in the last meeting between the Hornets and Blackpool at Vicarage Road in January 2015, with Odion Ighalo netting four.