It is far from inconcievable that Watford will fail to pick up a single point from tricky trips to Everton, champions-elect Chelsea and at home to Manchester City from their three remaining Premier League games.

The stark reality is that such a run would seal a spell of six consecutive defeats to the end of the league season - having already lost three in a row up until this weekend.

Their next foe, Everton, have won five of their last six home games and have dropped only four points at Goodison Park all season against sides outside the top five.

Of course, it is equally possible the Hornets may upset the odds as they have against Arsenal and Manchester United this season and pull off one last shock before the summer break - but head coach Walter Mazzarri is certainly ready for what he considers, should the worst happen, a "normal" run of form.

“I hope not to lose these first of all,” he said at today's pre-match press conference. “I have prepared something because I anticipated this being brought up. It is normal in the Premier League to have these moments.

“West Ham lost five in a row, West Bromwich Albion lost four; these periods can happen. Of course, I hope for it to not happen, and I don’t like it.

"Let’s not forget, when we had a complete squad, we reached 7th in the Premier League. We were 10th for the majority with a fully-fit side.

"In some seasons it happens that unexpected things can happen. We reached 40 points with six games left, and now we will see how well we finish."