An important victory over Sunderland may have lifted the mood around Vicarage Road, but tonight’s clash with West Bromwich Albion will provide and altogether tougher assignment.

The Baggies are enjoying a fine season under the stewardship of Tony Pulis and a 0-0 draw against Manchester United last time out is evidence enough of the Midlands club’s quality.

Sitting eighth in the table, they are on target to match their best ever Premier League finish and are unbeaten in seven of their last ten league outings.

Watford, meanwhile, sit 12th and a seven point gap should be enough to ensure top flight football for a third successive season.

Opposition view

Despite a positive point on the road at Old Trafford, it looks as though Pulis may be tempted into shaking his team up for the trip to Hertfordshire.

West Brom spent large periods of the goalless stalemate with the Red Devils on the back foot, and it is believed Pulis was disappointed with the lack of attacking creativity showcased by his side.

Matt Wilson covers West Brom for the Express & Star and says a desire to add attacking edge and keep players fresh will prompt the Baggies boss into making changes.

He said: “It Looks like Salomon Rondon is going to be in line for a start against Watford at Vicarage Road. We could also see Pulis shuffle the pack a little bit in the final third.

“He was a bit disappointed in terms of the way his team moved the ball around at Old Trafford, where it was a bit of one way traffic. We could see James Morrison brought back into the team.

“The likes of James McClean, Nacer Chadli and Chris Brunt are all in danger of missing out or just being rested because it is a three game week with Southampton at the weekend.”

The form book

Four points from games against Arsenal and United in West Brom’s last two outings represent a fine return.

Those results saw a welcome return to form for Albion after back-to-back defats against Crystal Palace and Everton had ended a five game unbeaten league run.

Team news Barring the absence of Matt Phillips, who is out with a hamstring injury, West Brom arrive at Vicarage Road with a fully fit squad to choose from.

Man to mark

Harrow Times:

It may seem like an odd call, but with 18 goals from set pieces, West Brom’s main attacking threat could well come from their defenders.

With this in mind, Watford will do well to keep tabs on Gareth McAuley. The Northern Irishman is the Premier League’s top scoring defender with six goals and has seven in all competitions.

His return makes him the club’s second top scorer in season which has seen West Brom find the net more times than any other team from dead ball situations.

The Watford connection

The Hornets’ recent record against Albion makes for grim viewing, with last April’s 1-0 win being their solitary victory in the side’s last 17 league meetings.

You have to go back to February 1995 for the next most recent victory for the Vicarage Road club and West Brom were comfortable 3-1 winners when the sides met in December.

Goals from Jonny Evans and Brunt gave the Baggies a 2-0 lead that day before Christian Kabasele cut the deficit.

The defender’s goal mattered little in the grand scheme of things, however, and a 90th minute strike from Phillips sealed all three points for the hosts.

What they’ve said

Harrow Times:

Tony Pulis said: "You play Arsenal and Manchester United and all the hype that goes with those two clubs, the big worry is Watford now.

"We’re playing them on a Tuesday night and it’s going to be a different game and we’ve got to be ready for that game.

"Watford are a good side with a good squad of players. Lots of pace and power in the team.”