Preview: Watford v Owls

Wednesday will be slight favourites going into their clash at Watford this weekend, but know it will be anything but an easy three points.

The Vicarage Road club have struggled for form this season, flirting with the Championship relegation spots from the kick-off in 2008-09.

But the Watford ship has been steadied, and the Hornets are on a run which has seen them climb well away from the dreaded bottom three - and they won't want to stop this weekend.

Watford first team coach Malky Mackay told EatSleepSport.co.uk:

'It's a great confidence builder to get five wins out of six and we can feel the confidence around the place.

'The crowd are enjoying themselves and that spreads around.

'It's just a pity that we haven't done this all season. There are a lot of teams at the bottom who are producing results that have raised a few eyebrows so it's a good job.

'We are aiming to get to the 52-point mark as soon as possible and we know we are not safe yet.'

Watford boss Brendan Rodgers knows the old saying about never changing a winning team, but it could be his temptation on Saturday.

The Hornets could welcome back player-of-the-season contender Tommy Smith, with the attacker looking to be back and in contention for the weekend after an injury picked up in the win at Charlton wasn't as bad as first feared.

But the Hornets have no fresh injury or suspension concerns going into the clash.

Wednesday fans will be interested to see how the on-loan Chelsea midfielder does for the Hornets, given Wednesday were closely linked with his services last summer. Cork has also been in impressive form for Watford this term.

Brian Laws will still be looking for the points to make sure Wednesday are mathematically safe from relegation before he starts to tinker hugely with the squad.

Laws was pleased with his side's showing at Preston on Tuesday night and could stick with the same starting eleven, especially with Francis Jeffers finding the back of the net.

Leon Clarke could be pushing for a return following a hamstring injury but Laws is likely to stick with Jeffers and Tudgay in attack.

Akpo Sodje played and scored for the reserves in midweek, while Frankie Simek also played the full 90 minutes, but noth are expected to feature on the bench.

So many times the former Everton and Arsenal man has promised to return to his best in the blue and white stripes, and he'll be looking for some consistency - and goals - should he get the nod to start against the Hornets.

Head-to-Head:

Watford wins: 17

Wednesday wins: 13

Draws: 8

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 2-0 Watford

Hillsborough, 13/09/08

Wednesday's fine start to the season on home soil continued with a comfortable win over Watford at S6. On a sunny day, Marcus Tudgay opened the scoring in the first half before Tommy Spurr netted a fine second.

Previous Line-Ups:

Watford: Loach, Doyley, Mariappa, Mike Williamson, Harley, Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Jenkins, Priskin, Rasiak (Lee Williamson 90). Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Cauna, Parkes.

Wednesday: Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr, Gray, McAllister, Potter, Johnson (O'Connor 90), Tudgay, Jeffers (Sodje 81). Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Hinds, Simek.

v Swansea (H) - 21/03/08

v Norwich (A) - 04/04/08

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