Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Watford’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The Hornets will hope the Manchester-born referee’s appointment will work as a positive sign after winning both of their previous two games under his stewardship this term.

A 3-0 win over Newcastle in November was followed by a 2-1 defeat of Leicester City at home on Boxing Day, a game which provided the final league win of Marco Silva’s reign.

Palace have a less favourable record with Kavanagh officiating, with the only time he has taken charge of one of their matches ending in a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in January.

Kavanagh has shown 85 yellow cards in 26 games this season as well as dismissing players on four occasions.

Three of those red cards have come in his last seven outings and Wilfried Ndidi, Ashley Williams and Arthur Masuaku have all been given their marching orders.

Once again Watford will be targeting the game as a chance to reach the 40-point mark in the Premier League and put the finishing touches on their survival bid.