Watford will once again be targeting the win which will take them to the all-important 40-point mark when they arrive at the John Smith’s Stadium today.

The Hornets scuppered the chance to do just that by surrendering a 1-0 lead with some woeful defending in last week’s 2-1 loss to Burnley.

Victory would all but seal Premier League football for another season, but in the Terriers Watford face an opponent who will be equally motivated to take all three points.

Today’s hosts are just four points above the drop zone and in dire need of a win after a run of five top flight games without one.

That sequence of results has featured damaging losses to fellow relegation candidates Cyrstal Palace and Newcastle United, while draws against Swansea and Brighton also did little to favour their cause.

Watford, however, will need no reminder of the threat posed by David Wagner’s men after the pairs’ previous meeting at Vicarage Road in December.

That encounter saw a ragged Watford dismantled 4-1 as they ended the game with 10 men after Troy Deeney had been shown a straight red card.

The Hornets’ current form and struggles on the road also offer little solace to Javi Gracia’s side and they are without a win in four.

They have not tasted victory away from the comforts of WD18 since November’s 3-0 success at St James’ Park and are yet to score away from home under Gracia.

Indeed, Watford’s troubles in front of goal on their travels are so acute, they have not found the net since the 3-1 loss to Manchester City on January 2.

Their opponents have largely relied on their home form to fuel their survival bid, with 20 of their 32 points coming at the John Smith’s and they boast some considerable scalps in front of their own fans.

The most notable of which came in October when they ended Manchester United’s unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 defeat of Jose Mourinho’s men.

Watford’s most recent visit to Huddersfield ended in a 3-1 Championship defeat in 2015 and of the 27 meetings between the two sides Watford have won nine and lost 13.

The Hornets’ defence, which has looked abject at points in recent weeks, could be boosted by the return of Christian Kabasele.

The defender has been in training with the first team for the past two weeks and Gracia confirmed both he and Craig Cathcart are in the running to start.