Sunderland vs Watford: can the Hornets make it three wins on the bounce?

A look ahead to this weekend's fixture at the Stadium of Lighht

Watford forward Odion Ighalo (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Costel Pantilimon: Only Bournemouth and Newcastle have conceded more goals than Sunderland this season. After conceding three at Arsenal and six at Goodison Park, Pantilimon will be hoping for a quieter afternoon on Saturday. A clean sheet against Crystal Palace, which came in between those devastating results, provides a beacon of hope for the 6ft 8in Romanian, who will have Odion Ighalo (9 goals) and Troy Deeney (5 goals) for company.

Best stat…

1: Watford have won three of their eighteen matches at the Stadium of Light.

Player to watch…

Odion Ighalo: The Nigerian’s seamless transition to Premier League football has been nothing short of remarkable. After netting against Everton on opening day, Ighalo hasn’t looked back and is now the league’s fourth-highest scorer with nine goals in 15 games. He and strike partner Troy Deeney, who both scored last weekend, could sting Sunderland’s vulnerable defence.

Past three meetings…

Sunderland 4 (Stewart 3, Brown) Watford 2 (Dyer 2), Championship, February 2005

Watford 1 (Ardley) Sunderland 1 (Elliott), Championship, October 2004

Watford 2 (Mahon, Cox) Sunderland 2 (Stewart, Byfield), League Division One, February 2004

Form guide…

Sunderland: WLLWWL

Watford: WWLLWW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 15:00pm

TV: Highlights on BBC1