With only eight rounds of matches remaining in the Championship season, the upcoming clash between Watford and Plymouth at Vicarage Road this weekend is crucial for both teams.
Watford have been finding it challenging to keep up with the teams aiming for promotion and are currently five points behind the playoff spots.
The Hornets have only managed to secure four victories since the start of the year and suffered a 1-0 defeat against Oxford in their previous match.
While Watford is striving to move up from the division, Plymouth is fighting to avoid relegation from the second tier.
Plymouth has only won seven out of 38 league games and is currently at the bottom of the table, six points away from safety.
Team news
Kwadwo Baah has returned to training after a hamstring injury and is set to rejoin the squad. However, Amin Nabizada (muscle strain), Kevin Keben, Pierre Dwomoh, and Mamadou Doumbia (all hamstring) are still unavailable.
Kevin Amankwaah is serving a one-match suspension and is likely to be replaced by Mattie Pollock, who missed the last game to attend the birth of his first child. Eight Watford players were on international duty but have not reported any issues.
Maksym Talovierov has joined Julio Pleguezuelo and Brendan Galloway in the Plymouth treatment room due to an unspecified injury.
Mustapha Bundu sustained an injury while on international duty with Sierra Leone but has been cleared to play. Adam Randell is also back after serving a three-game suspension.
The stats
In seven of their last eight home matches, Watford has scored less than two goals, and five of their last six games have seen less than three goals scored.
Plymouth has had both teams scoring in five of their last seven matches, and they have drawn in each of their last three league encounters with Watford.
Argyle has managed to score in nine of their last 12 games.
Prediction
Plymouth secured a 2-1 victory against Portsmouth in their previous away game and could surprise by avoiding defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road.
Although Plymouth has only won once away from Home Park in the league, their recent performances on the road have shown improvement.
With three draws and a win in their last six away league matches, Plymouth should not be intimidated by Watford, who have been struggling since the beginning of the year.
Watford, the second-lowest scorers among the top ten teams, faced issues with scoring in their recent 1-0 loss to Oxford before the international break.
Having only secured two home victories in the last three months, Watford might continue to face challenges against Plymouth, who are determined to avoid relegation.