The Lowdown

The Sky Blues travel to Vicarage Road this weekend to take on Watford, who will be desperately looking for a victory to give their promotion hopes a timely boost.

The Hornets are without a win in their last eight encounters and were stung badly last weekend when they turned in what was regarded as one of their worst performances, not only of this campaign but of the last few years, in a 3-0 defeat to promotion rivals Hull City.

"It was the third anniversary of me taking over this week, and that was without doubt the worst performance during my time here," said a disgruntled Aidy Boothroyd after the defeat to the Tigers.

"We were beaten by a better team. They were better than us at the back, middle and up front. I've no complaints.

"We're usually good starters, but gave away two really poor goals, early."

That result saw Hull go three points above Watford in the table and with five games left puts the Tigers in prime position to replace either Stoke or Bristol City in the automatic promotion spots.

However, the Hornets have a game in hand and Boothroyd will have targeted back-to-back home encounters against the Sky Blues and Barnsley in midweek as must-win games to either thrust themselves back into the reckoning for a top two finish or secure a play-off spot with a trip to West Brom ahead of them next weekend.

A top six finish seems almost certain, with the Hornets currently five points clear of seventh placed Ipswich but they will have to steady the ship after their worst run of form so far this term.

Having been firmly entrenched in the top two for long spells, three back-to-back victories in February seemed to enhance Watford's reputation as a nailed on bet to go up automatically.

But then came a spell where they could not get a win for love nor money, as Boothroyd's charges recorded a remarkable seven consecutive draws before last week's humiliation by Hull.

Watford's home form as been their stumbling block in recent months, having recorded only two victories in their last 13 matches at Vicarage Road, although Boothroyd has said he does not believe his side have a problem at home, stating that "the law of averages says if we haven't been doing well at home we will start doing well at home."

Let's hope the law of averages does not kick into action this weekend.

Team News

Watford were boosted by the news that Steve Kabba's red card from last weekend's game against Hull has been overturned.

The decision to quash the decision of referee Uriah Rennie was made after the Hornets lodged an appeal to the FA. Kabba was given his marching orders during the second half of the game at the KC Stadium.

The ex-Sheffield United striker will be available for Saturday's match but fellow front man front man Darius Henderson has one game remaining of his ban.

Former Sky Blues midfielder John Eustace will also sit out this weekend's game through suspension.

The last time we met

City will be looking to avenge not only a 3-0 defeat against the Hornets earlier this season at the Ricoh but a 4-0 thumping from the last time they visited Vicarage Road.

Goals from Ashley Young, Darius Henderson, Jay De Merit and Marlon King earned Watford a comprehensive win in February 2006.