PREVIEW: West Brom looking to confirm survival as they host Watford at the Hawthorns | OneFootball

In Morrison’s first outing as West Brom manager, the Baggies lost 2-1 to fellow relegation rivals Oxford United in what to some was the final nail in the coffin for the once great side. Not many would have predicted where the side would find themselves with just three games to go, having installed belief and desire into the squad, Morrison has Albion five points clear of the relegation places and with just three games to go, potentially all but safe should they get a result against Watford.

One of the main points of Morrisons success has been his ability to sure up the defence, West Brom have conceded just four goals in their last eight and kept five clean sheets in that time. Their victory over Preston gave the Albion a massive boost to their survival hopes all while showcasing just how much Morrison has improved the side.

All the recent good news has been overshadowed by the recent news that the club has been charged by the EFL for exceeding the allowed loss of £39m over a three-year period. While West Brom are adamant they have complied with the financial fair-play rules however a threat of a points deduction has been swirling around the side in recent days with Morrison having ‘banned’ any talk of it.

With chaos and calm looming over the Hawthorns, their opponents Watford are having a slightly smoother end to the season, the Hornets currently sit 13th in the table having not won in any of their last five Championship games. Having struggled for true form all season, Watford have had their usual manager merry-go-round this season with Paulo Pezzolano and Javi Garcia both having left their post during the course of this season.

Now under the management of Will Still’s brother Ed, the Hornets have stabilized in recent months and now look set for another season in the second tier due to them being 12 points behind Hull City in the play-off positions and 13-points ahead of Oxford United in the relegation zone.

Having lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield United last week, Watford will be looking to bounce back yet their away form has been poor all season, the Hornets have won just four of their 22 away games which puts them 20th in the away form table, just above their hosts West Brom.

That being said, West Brom have been a far from impenetrable side at home, they have won just seven of their 21 league games at the Hawthorns this season. A true showing of just how poor Albion have been all season which has made their turnaround under Morrison that much more impressive.

In terms of team news, Morrison will be relieved to have a near full strength squad following the sides battle with injuries all season, defender Chris Mepham is set to return following a lengthy spell on the side-lines with a hamstring injury. He will be joined on the bench with striker Karlan Grant who has missed lots of this season with knee issues, his return will give the Baggies much needed firepower.

Daryl Dike marked his return from injury with a goal at Preston on the weekend, the American has long struggled with injuries so his return to not only the pitch but to the scoresheet will be a sight gladly beheld by all Albion fans.

As for Watford, they aren’t in any sort of injury crisis but Ed Still will be without midfielder Rocco Vata who is out with a thigh injury and could miss the rest of the season for Watford, defender Stephan Mfuni is also facing a similar fate after the centre-half was revealed to have suffered a set-back in his recovery from a knee injury.

There are some positives for the Hornets, full-back Jeremy Ngakia is set to return to the starting line-up, after missing a few weeks with a hamstring issue, his return will provide good defensive cover for Watford heading into the final act’s of the season.

Tuesday’s game is largely about West Brom, the Baggies have the chance to all but secure their place in the Championship next season whilst confirming the demise of Leicester City and potentially Oxford United as-well, it would complete an impressive turnaround by Morrison from a side that looked bereft of confidence.