Albion bid to be the first away team to win at Watford this season. So how will they achieve that? The Seagulls have qualities of their own and have proved they can match a couple of the better sides in the Championship already this season.

But here are a few aspects of today's game which could prove key...

1. Be alert defensively

Watford’s 3-5-2 days are over. They go with a flexible 4-2-3-1 and have a wealth of players to operate in the attacking trio just off the striker. Matej Vydra is back to his best after adapting to a new role just off the main striker and the Hornets beat Brentford in midweek with Almen Abdi only on the bench and Fernando Forestieri not involved at all. Impressive.

They have several quick-witted, tricky and inventive players to fill that line of three and it is from there that their greatest threat comes.

Vydra's cracker sinks Brentford on Tuesday

2. Exploit what might be a weakness

Watford have a strong squad in every area except left-back, which is where attack-minded Daniel Pudil plays. Pudil is a good player - but he is suspended today so Tommie Hoban, who has fallen down the pecking order as a centre-back, could fill in. It should be said Hoban did well last time he stood in for Pudil, against Rotherham, but he is still a novice in the position.

The Argus:

3. Hope Gomes has one of those days

Former Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes, pictured above, replaced Manuel Almunia, who tended to be a thorn in Albion’s side, during the summer. Watford possibly got lucky because Almunia then failed a medical at Cagliari due to a heart condition and subsequently retired. As for Gomes, he continues to be a fine, athletic, confident goalkeeper – usually. But he has an error in him. Just ask Spurs fans.

4. Look out for Ikechi Anya

Albion fans probably think of the jet-heeled Scottish international as a left wing-back. But his preferred position is apparently down the right. Anya caused problems at the Amex two years ago and scored against the Seagulls in February but these days has a role on the right wing.

5. Score more than once

Okay, they might not need to if they defend very well. But Watford have scored in their last 17 home games, going back to mid-January. They have hit three goals in five of those games and four goals on three occasions.

6. Make the most of set-pieces

Four of Albion’s nine league goals have come from set-pieces. That includes the second against Charlton, when the ball was played back in from a corner. Include the cup win at Burton and, of the last eight goals, you find five have come from set-pieces and two from counter-attacks. Watford actually out-do the Seagulls for set-piece goals with five but that represents only just over a quarter of their 19 league goals in total.

7. Have a bit of luck

The Seagulls’ two goals in four visits to Watford in recent years have both had a bit of good fortune – when Ashley Barnes’ tame shot went through goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin (although the win was fully deserved) and when Craig Mackail-Smith converted a rather soft penalty two years ago. But they had no luck at all when today's ref Simon Hooper last took charge of them – and awarded Bournemouth a VERY dubious penalty against Inigo Calderon on New Year’s Day.