FA Cup: The inside track on Wolves' semi-final opponents

With that huge encounter coming up, we spoke with Jason Bailey of the From The Rookery End podcast, and Anthony Matthews, sports editor for the Watford Observer, to get a better take on the Hornets.

See what he had to say here...

Watford and Wolves are heading to Wembley this weekend - how have the Hornets got to this stage, have they had a tough ride to the semi finals?

JB: Not particularly! The journey started at National League South high flyers Woking and a laid back 2-0 win.

Clean sheet away wins continued at Newcastle (2-0) and QPR (1-0).

We were finally drawn at home for the quarter final, where we dispatched our second fellow top flight team Crystal Palace 2-1.

AM: Watford’s passage to the semi-final has been a case of solid progression, although with their first three ties away it’s not been straightforward.

Having won 2-0 at Woking in round three, head coach Javi Gracia attracted plenty of criticism for making 11 changes for the fourth-round trip to Newcastle United. However, the Hornets responded in the best way possible to that flak with a 2-0 victory.

Gracia’s men were on the road again in the last-16 and although Queens Park Rangers played well, Watford had the wherewithal to the get job done without being at their best as they won 1-0.

Watford were overdue a home tie and the draw did fall their way in the quarter-finals as they were paired with Crystal Palace. It was another tight game, but the Hornets played well in the first half to lead, dug in after being pegged back and then produced some more quality to score the match winner.

Watford have been one of the best performing teams outside the top six this season, what do you put their good form down to?

JB: We've not made dramatic changes to the side this season with the majority of those you would deem starters as having been around at this point last season.

Instead, we have strengthened the squad and have players that can comfortably fit into the side as and when needed.

One of those who has come into the first eleven as a new player is Ben Foster and he has been superb.

But you still need someone to take this group and mould them into a team and that man is Javi Gracia. He has built a side that has the ability to play good football, but shows grit, organisation and determination to get results.

AM: Hard work and an impressive unity and desire to all pull in the same direction.

They also possess plenty of quality and are developing into a strong Premier League side that is increasingly suggesting it may be capable of moving up another step.

Gone are the days when Watford are happy to try and give the Premier League’s big guns a good game; they’re better than that now and are proving it, even if this is not always backed up by results.

What kind of style of play can we expect to see from Javi Gracia's side this weekend?

JB: I think both teams will be cautious at the start given the magnitude of the game. So I'm expecting Watford to play the possession game early on, moving the ball across the pitch through the midfield and looking to probe for gaps in the defence.

Javi is tactically astute though and is happy to make tactical changes and will swap personnel to suit.

Expect us to go more direct if things aren't going our way.

AM: First and foremost, an approach that is structured and organised in which all the players have a thorough grasp of their responsibilities.

They essentially play a passing game, frequently using slick triangles to try and prise open opponents, but they have the ability to adapt depending on the situation – be it pressing from the front to adopting a more direct approach if necessary.

Their usual formation is ‘advertised’ as 4-4-2, but the two ‘wide’ midfielders are not wingers in the traditional sense. The midfield four can play narrowly at times, often rotating positions which gives them more flexibility.

Watford obviously got the better of Wolves at Molineux earlier this season, will Gracia have that game in his thinking going into this one?

JB: Absolutely. We did a job on Wolves that day. Two quick goals and then the team carried out a lesson in game management to frustrate the home side.

I don't expect Nuno to make it that straightforward for us again on Sunday though!

AM: He will clearly have it in his mind, given it was a successful afternoon for his side and they played well, but a lot has obviously changed for both sides since then, so I would expect a modified game plan.

Who are the biggest threats for Wolves in Watford's ranks and why?

JB: From back to front we have players who have performed exceptionally this season.

The aforementioned Foster. Abdoulaye Doucoure is always mentioned as a potential transfer target for Champions League sides.

Etienne Capoue is having his best season in a Watford shirt. But there are two names I am going to mention as the biggest threats.

Gerard Deulofeu has found his scoring boots in recent weeks including a great hat-trick at Cardiff. He has shown a work-rate and desire to match his ability that isn't always apparent in flair players.

And if it isn't Geri's day, then super-sub Andre Gray will get you.

The ex-Burnley striker has come off the bench to great effect scoring two match winning goals in March and putting in a man of the match performance in just 45 minutes in this week's win at home to Fulham.

AM: Abdoulaye Doucoure is arguably the most complete midfielder outside the ‘big six’ and can cause any defence problems with his qualities on the ball and scoring abilities.

Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra still lack the consistency to match their undoubted talent, but at their best they can also wreak havoc in opposing defences.

Who's likely to make the cut for the Hornets on Sunday? What's your predicted XI?

JB: Javi provided no clues by playing a full strength side that beat and ultimately relegated Fulham on Tuesday evening. I think he will go strong again.

Gray's form has led to calls for him to start, but I'd expect to see a very similar line up to that Fulham game.

There is genuine competition at right back, so maybe Darryl Janmaat will start ahead of Kiko Femenia.

However, the one change I do expect is in goal. Heurelho Gomes has been Gracia's cup goalie this season and the boss' loyalty to players is likely to see the Brazilian's solid cup performances be rewarded with a Wembley appearance.

AM: Gomes; Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebas; Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra (if fit); Deulofeu, Deeney.

Are there any injury worries for Gracia to worry about?

JB: Tom Cleverley and Isaac Success are the only two, who would normally make the squad, that were listed as injured earlier this week.

Roberto Pereyra was seen to be clutching his back ahead of being substituted at half time on Tuesday, although this seemed to be a tactical substitution rather than an injury replacement.

AM: Pereyra came off at half-time on Tuesday and is a doubt for Sunday, although Gracia sounded optimistic about his prospects of making the game when he spoke to the press on Thursday.

Striker Issac Success, who would likely be on the bench if fit, has also been struggling with injury.

Watford and Wolves have drawn plenty of comparisons this campaign given the fact both sides are pushing to finish 'best of the rest'. Do you see the comparison, and who do you expect to grab 7th spot?

JB: I can understand the comparisons but think this has been achieved in different ways.

Wolves have performed excellently against the top six sides this season and picked up a number of surprise results. So there must be frustration to have dropped points against some of the lesser sides and those around them.

Watford have been more of a model of predictability. Bar a great win at home to Spurs early on, there has been little return against the big sides.

But results against the rest have been mostly positive. Who will take 7th? Who ever loses the semi final!

AM: I can see why the comparison is being made because most observers would not have expected both clubs to be featuring so highly in the table at this stage of the season; indeed some would have had them among their likely relegation contenders back in April.

Both teams have similar run-ins, but the fact Watford have four games remaining at home may just work in their favour. Obviously the one on Saturday, April 27 could prove absolutely pivotal for both sides.

What have you made of Wolves from afar, do you think they have what it takes to win the FA Cup?

JB: As a newly promoted side they have hit the right balance of squad improvement and retaining some of the Championship winners.

Matt Doherty has particularly impressed. I think they are the best placed of the "other" three sides to take on Manchester City, so certainly are capable of winning it.

But they've got to get past us first!

AM: For a newly promoted side, one cannot help but be impressed by how well they’ve done, particularly with some of their results against the top six clubs.

However, when opposing teams stop Wolves playing, it has been apparent they can struggle at times.

Your match prediction?

JB: It will be tight. Andre Gray to come off the bench and win it in extra time, 2-1!

AM: A Watford victory – you wouldn’t expect anything else – but I think it will be another tight game and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the teams cannot be separated after 90 minutes.

You can keep track of Jason's work at the From The Rookery End podcast or by searching for @watfordpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can follow Anthony on Twitter here.