Crystal Palace Vs Watford: Dennis, Etebo, Troost-Ekong, Kalu may be relegated on Saturday

The Nigerian quartet of Emmnauel Dennis, Samuel Kalu, Peter Etebo and William Troost-Ekong could help Watford join five other clubs who have tasted relegation at least four times in the Premier League if they fail to win on Saturday at Selhurst Park where they will be guest of Crystal Palace.

Watford are facing their fourth relegation from the Premier League. They would become the sixth different side to be relegated from the competition on four or more occasions, after Norwich City (six), West Bromwich Albion (five), Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Sunderland (four).

If they lose, the Nigerian quartet will also be setting a personal record of getting relegated in their first season in the English topflight league.

While Dennis, Troost-Ekong and Kalu may go down with the team to the Skybet Championship, Etebo will return to his parent club, Stoke City who will still be campaigning in the Skybet Championship after failing to secure promotion to the Premier League.

The game at Selhurst Park looks like an unwinnable one as their host, Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three home league matches.

The Eagles, as Crystal Palace are known have never kept four clean sheets in a row at Selhurst Park in the Premier League, last doing so in any division in the Championship in December 2012.

Since the start of February, only the top two sides Manchester City (seven) and Liverpool (three) have conceded fewer Premier League goals than Palace’s eight.

Watford will be looking forward to its top scorer this season, Dennis to score the goals that will keep their slim hope of survival alive.

The Nigerian has scored 10 times in 32 appearances in his debut season in the competition and will be hoping to score on Saturday. If he does, it will be his 11th of the season and first against the Eagles who walloped the Hornets 4-1 in their first meeting in February at the Vicarage Road stadium.

Troost-Ekong will be eager to make his first appearance under manager Roy Hodgson and second in 2022 in the competition to save Watford from going down again while Kalu, bought in January from Ligue 1 side, Bordeaux will be seeking his first start in three appearances in the league for the Hornets.

Etebo, injured for most part of the first half of the season will also be seeking his first start in just two appearances in 2022.