Predicting Alessio Dionisi

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0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. The XI for Watford's home clash with Preston is probably the toughest to call of the season so far, with so many players potentially absent.

A number of defenders are likely to be borderline when it comes to fitness, while Edoardo Bove is likely to miss out having sustained a knee injury that the club are hopeful is not as bad as it first seemed at The Hawthorns.

More: Pollock: 'It's refreshing to know we're not going to throw the towel in'

Here's how they could line up.

One figure of consistency so far this season has been Ravaglia, who has made a big impression in the early weeks of the season.

He is probably the most likely starter of anyone.

Omar Traore missed out with a minor adductor issue on Saturday and it is not impossible he recovers for this one, but more likely is that Keben will have to switch to full-back.

He has actually done a decent job in this position over the last week and it may suit him to be moved from the more exposed central role.

Pollock talked about fresh competition for his place ahead of this game but is still one of the first names on the team-sheet.

He says he feels a real hunger to win for the second time this season.

Soumaila Coulibaly on debut (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Coulibaly won't be at 100% yet but his performance at West Brom on Saturday showed he is ready.

Even if he can only go for 60 minutes, it could be worth getting him in. There is a decent chance Branimir Mlacic will be ready to replace him from the bench if needed.

There was hope on Saturday that Zemura had been substituted in time to keep him fit for this game.

It seems more likely than not that he will be patched up and made available - with Edo Kayembe, remarkably, next in line to start.

Payero has shown glimpses of ability but has still not grabbed a game by the scruff of the beck since signing this summer.

In a deeper role with Bove out, this could be his chance.

Kyprianou has shown signs of fatigue in the last week but what choice does Dionisi have?

The midfielder is known for his fitness levels and has hopefully recovered in time to put in another shift.

Hector Kyprianou makes a challenge (Image: PA)

Othmane Maamma looks like he needs a rest and I expect him to sit out from the start of this one.

That provides Nabizada with another chance on his weaker right side.

Bravo is the star of the show in attack and should be restored to a central position here.

If Watford win, he will likely have played a big part in it.

Iker Bravo crosses (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Mavididi showed enough on Saturday to earn a first start for the club.

He was inconsistent with his final product but his pace and directness could be key to getting on the front foot.

Kjerrumgaard are Mamadou Doumbia are both struggling to have an impact, truthfully, but the former did show some signs of life at The Hawthorns, in the second half particularly.

Watford will want to dominate and get balls in the box here, which should suit him.

Bachmann, Walker, Mlacic, Eames, Kayembe, Maamma, Vata, Doumbia, Boadu