Leicester City host Watford in the Premier League as they look to put more pressure on league-leaders Liverpool.
The Foxes left it late to beat Everton in their last fixture, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring his first league goal of the season in added time. Their sixth victory in a row kept Liverpool on their toes, but are still eight points behind the Reds with a packed Christmas schedule.
The visitors are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and are on the hunt for a third manager of the campaign. With only eight points, and six points from safety, the Hornets look down and out, with a second victory of the season looking unlikely at the King Power Stadium.
Here are some key facts, courtesy of Opta, that will impress your mates ahead of this crucial fixture at both ends of the Premier League table.
Hornets Hate Wednesdays
This fixture could not have fallen on a worse day for Watford, as they simply cannot win on a Wednesday.
The visitors have played 15 games in the Premier League on this specific day, losing 11 and drawing four. The only team to have a worse record on a single weekday is West Brom, who are winless in 27 games on Tuesdays, and currently reside in the Championship.
However, the current situation regarding both sides indicates that the outcome should be no different to a Saturday fixture, even with this terrible omen, as Watford simply cannot find a victory.
Foxes' Fortress
Leicester love hosting Watford, as the Foxes have beaten the away side each time they have visited the King Power in the Premier League.
Since Watford's promotion in 2015, Leicester have scored 10 and conceded just once against this side at home, their best 100% home record against any opposition in the Premier League. With an unbeaten record at the King Power this season, it looks likely that this trend will continue.
Big Team Blues
Watford have lost their way when setting up against sides in the top three, struggling to cope with pressure from quality players.
They have lost their last 14 encounters with sides starting the day in the top three, conceding 51 goals in that period. An average of 3.6 goals conceded each match indicates where the Hornets are in terms of stature, and certainly an area that they need to improve upon, considering the attacking prowess that Jamie Vardy possesses.
And speaking of Vardy...
A Natural Goalscorer
The Englishman has scored 22 goals since Brendan Rodgers took charge in March, six more than any other player.
This came after a run of three goals in 10 matches, and the appointment of Rodgers has revitalised the 32-year-old. He has scored in six consecutive matches, bagging eight, and may be on his way to breaking his own record.
Desperate Times
Since the Hornets' victory against Leicester in March, they have lost 14 and
To put that into perspective, their opponents have won 15 and lost just four. Both sides have played 23 matches since their last meeting and look to be on entirely different paths. The away side have only won once this season, however, which was a 2-0 triumph over fellow strugglers Norwich.
Watford have not beaten Leicester in back-to-back matches since April 2013, where both sides were competing for promotion to the Premier League. When comparing their current league positions, it is likely that this curse will continue.
Source: 90min
