Watford can clinch promotion back to the Premier League this weekend should they beat out-of-form Millwall at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets need just three more points to guarantee a top-two finish, while Millwall are now jostling for position in the top half.

Match preview

© Reuters

A 1-0 loss to local rivals Luton Town last week appeared to open the door for the chasing pack to make up some ground on Watford, but that has not proved to be the case.

While others around them continue to stumble, the Hornets returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win at already-promoted Norwich City on Tuesday evening.

Dan Gosling converted a low Joao Pedro cross with just under an hour played at Carrow Road to finally beat Tim Krul, who produced a handful of good saves.

That win moves Watford to within five points of top spot, but the more immediate priority for Xisco's side is to seal a top-two finish, which they can achieve on Saturday.

Watford know that a ninth win in 11 league games will be enough to make certain of a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

© Reuters

There is also the possibility of the Hornets going up with a draw, but they need Bournemouth and Brentford to draw in the early kickoff for that to happen.

However, a defeat for Watford could yet make things interesting as they face Brentford and Swansea City - two of the three sides directly below them - in their final two games.

Still, this is a match Xisco's men will be confident of winning, having taken all three points from their last seven Championship home games - their best run since 1977.

Millwall have gone off the boil in recent weeks, too, taking just one point from the last nine on offer.

The Lions have had a tough run, losing 3-0 to Swansea City and 4-1 to Bournemouth, either side of a stalemate against another promotion-chasing side in Brentford.

Gary Rowett's side are now aiming to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this calendar year, though eighth place is now ultimately the best that they can hope for.

Millwall are winless in five away league matches against Watford (D1 L4) in a run stretching back to a 2-0 win back in March 2006, with goals from Carl Asaba and Ben May.

Team News

© Reuters

Xisco freshened up his side between the loss to Luton and win over Norwich and that paid off as Watford picked up arguably their best win yet.

Kiko Femenia missed out at Carrow Road through suspension but is now back in contention, leaving captain Troy Deeney as the hosts' only known injury concern.

Andre Gray is a contender to come into the front three, while Nathaniel Chalobah is another who will be hoping for a recall against Millwall.

As for the Lions, Rowett brought in Billy Mitchell - fresh on the back of signing a new deal - and Kenneth Zohore for the heavy loss to Bournemouth.

Murray Wallace and Mason Bennett remain fitness doubts, while Alex Pearce was substituted at half time in that heavy loss and will likely miss out on a starting spot here.

Jed Wallace scored Millwall's consolation in midweek to make it 10 goals for the campaign, which should see him retain his spot up top.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Femenia, Sierralta, Troost-Ekong, Masina; Zinckernagel, Hughes, Chalobah; Sarr, Pedro, Sema

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Evans, Pearce, Cooper; McNamara, Kieftenbeld, Woods, Mitchell, Malone; Wallace, Bradshaw

We say: Watford 2-0 Millwall

Watford will know ahead of kickoff exactly what is required to earn promotion - one point or all three.

Either way, this is a game that we expect the Hornets to win against a Millwall side with little left to play for, which is reflected in their recent results.

Previews by email