Watford’s final Premier League home game for the foreseeable future sees them welcome mid-table Leicester City to Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Watford had their relegation from the top flight confirmed last weekend after a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, in which Hassane Kamara was also sent off. Now their next task – Leicester City.
Roy Hodgson – who will be leaving Watford in the summer – was also met with criticism on social media post match after appearing to share a laugh and joke with players from his former club immediately following the full time whistle.
Understandably, a section of the Hornets’ support were not best impressed particularly considering Hodgson appeared to offer no thanks to the travelling supporters who had just watched their team go down.
With nothing left to play for but pride this season, Sunday’s game at Vicarage Road becomes somewhat of a dead rubber.
Visiting Leicester saw their hopes of Europa Conference League glory dashed at the semi-final stage by Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma the Stadio Olimpico 10 days ago, whilst qualification for UEFA competition domestically is also out of the equation this term.
As such, Brendan Rodgers side have only the possibility of a top 10 Premier League finish to aim for.
The season on the whole has been a disappointing one for the Foxes, with inconsistency and injury playing their part, but they did get back to winning ways last time out against another relegated opponent in Norwich City, whom they dispatched 3-0.
A goal from James Maddison against his former club and a brace from Jamie Vardy – whose wife is currently embroiled in the ‘Wagatha Christie’ court case with former England teammate Wayne Rooney’s spouse – was enough to see off the Canaries.
Vardy’s recovery from injury has been carefully managed by Rodgers, whilst Wesley Fofana has also returned to the fold in recent weeks after a leg break caused him to miss the majority of the season.
Fofana, however, missed the game with Norwich due to a knock and is expected to return to the squad against Watford. Ndidi, Ricardo and Bertrand all remain absent.
For Watford, the club confirmed that Forest Green Rovers’ boss Rob Edwards will be the man to succeed Hodgson at the helm, with the 39-year-old fresh from winning the League Two title with the Gloucestershire side.
At least 10 Hornets first teamers are doubtful for the match against Leicester, with questions over who of the current Watford crop will remain at the club for next season.
Watford v Leicester is at 2pm on Sunday 15th May.
