Watford travel to Bristol City on Friday with eight first-team players unavailable through injury. The squad's depth will be tested at Ashton Gate as they look to improve on a run of one win in their last five league games.
Watford currently sit 17th in the Championship table with eight points from seven matches. Their recent form reads LWLLD, with the most recent result a 2-1 home defeat to Stoke City last weekend. Amin Nabizada, the club's top scorer with three goals this season, netted a late consolation in that match.
Injury list grows
The list of absentees is extensive. Defenders Branimir Mlačić, Jeremy Ngakia and Marc Bola are all out, with Bola and forward Kwadwo Baah not expected back until mid-October. Midfielders Edoardo Bove, Jack Grieves and Jordan Zemura are also sidelined, alongside striker Myron Boadu. This leaves manager Valérien Ismaël with significant selection headaches, particularly in attack and defence.
Bristol City's form
Bristol City head into the match after a 1-0 home loss to Lincoln City last weekend. Before that defeat, they had won three consecutive league games against Portsmouth, Preston and Burnley. Their likely lineup includes former Watford player Scott Twine, who started in their last outing.
Watford's last victory was a 2-1 comeback win over Preston North End on 8 September, with goals from Edo Kayembe and Moussa Doumbia. The team's fixtures show a challenging run ahead after the international break.
With so many regulars missing, Ismaël may have to turn to younger options from the squad. The match kicks off at 19:00 UTC on 18 September.
