Almen Abdi: Confidence is high at Watford
Watford will go in search of a third consecutive Barclays Premier League win when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday - and midfielder Almen Abdi admits confidence is sky-high.
Having started their first season back in the top flight with three draws and a loss at Manchester City, Quique Sanchez Flores and his much-changed Hornets side have hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks.
A victory at home to a Swansea side who had just beaten Manchester United followed by three points on the road at struggling Newcastle has left Watford in the top half of the table.
In contrast, their opponents at Vicarage Road on Sunday have lost their last two fixtures having been one of the quickest out of the blocks in August.
The back-to-back wins have invariably led to a feel-good factor at the club and Switzerland international Abdi is keen to see that continue against Alan Pardew's Eagles.
"You can see that in how much we've improved since the first game," he said.
"After six points in two games, of course we have confidence. We did a great job against Swansea and Newcastle and we are playing well, but they were only two games, so we have to continue.
"There is no one game that is easy. It doesn't matter who you play, it'll be a tough game, but I think we've got the strength in the team, and the quality to compete against anyone.
"Every day we work hard, not only physically but tactically. We work on the shape, because the gaffer has his philosophy and idea of how to play."
Abdi started in both of the recent victories and is likely to retain his place at the weekend as Watford have no fresh injury concerns - with fellow Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami still serving a suspension for his red card against Swansea.
Crystal Palace boss Pardew will check on the fitness of four players ahead of Sunday's trip.
Damien Delaney (groin) could be available despite limping off against Charlton in midweek while Scott Dann (groin), Joel Ward (knee) and Mile Jedinak (hamstring) are close to returning.
But Connor Wickham is still out with a rib injury and fellow striker Marouane Chamakh has a long-term hamstring problem.
Pardew will attempt to succeed where three other managers have already failed this season at Watford on Sunday.
The newly-promoted Hornets have yet to concede a goal at home this term, keeping clean sheets against West Brom, Southampton and Swansea.
Crystal Palace are next to have a crack, having ended their recent goal drought by thumping south London rivals Charlton 4-1 in the Capital One Cup in midweek.
Dwight Gayle's hat-trick against the Addicks has put him in the frame for a first Premier League start of the season as Pardew plots a way past the Watford defence.
"We hadn't scored in two games and we need strikers who score goals," said the Eagles boss. "Sometimes you have to experiment as a manager, we've got a good idea for this game that we think will work for us.
"Charlton was a difficult fixture, a local derby, and we were in control from start to finish and scored some good goals. Now we need to take that on to Watford.
"Watford have a good feeling at the moment, like us, so it's going to be a tough game.
"We have got good emphasis on delivering away from home, with a lot of pace in the team. But Watford haven't conceded a goal at home which is impressive in my book.
"The crowd there is fantastic, I was there for the West Brom game. It's a very tricky fixture for us.
"It's an important game for both teams; the winners will be on 12 points and in a good position in the league."
Source: PAR
