Crystal Palace latest news: Eagles tipped to beat Watford in 'six-pointer'

Journalist Tom Barclay has described Crystal Palace‘s trip to Watford as a “six-pointer” but is confident they can come away with three “welcome” points.

Patrick Vieira’s side go in search of their first Premier League victory of 2022 at the seventh attempt when they come up against their former manager.

Suddenly, this is a really important night for the Eagles. Three points from a possible 18 available in the New Year has left them in danger of getting dragged into a late-season relegation dogfight.

Ahead of their trip to Vicarage Road, they’re still eight points clear of danger, but a fourth defeat in seven top-flight games would cut see that gap to just five.

The fixture list hasn’t been kind to Palace of late, with games against Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool, and Chelsea in recent weeks. But Vieira’s side have failed to take advantage of playing the likes of Brighton, Norwich, and Brentford.

Therefore, tonight’s trip to Watford could end up going some way to shaping the final third of Palace’s season.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It would really be very welcome, wouldn’t it? We’re not reaching critical stage, but it’s an eight points gap.

“But if they lose to Watford it’s five, so it’s one of those six-pointers. A win tonight would really keep any criticism down, and I think they’ve got a good chance of it, because they’ve got matchwinners.”

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The downside for Crystal Palace ahead of this evening’s clash is that Roy Hodgson will know all about his former side and will know exactly how to stop the likes of Wilfried Zaha and co.

On the other hand, Palace are a far better side than Watford, even if their form doesn’t suggest that.

Watford have