Anthony Backhouse to referee Watford v Oxford United.
Watford will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky following the appointment of the referee for tomorrow night’s fixture against Oxford United.
The EFL website has stated that Anthony Backhouse has been appointed to take charge of the 8pm kick-off at Vicarage Road.
The Cumbrian referee has officiated in two matches involving the Hornets already this season, the 2-1 defeat at Leeds United last month and the 4-1 loss at Norwich City in September, although he was replaced for the second half at Carrow Road due to an injury.
Backhouse has taken charge of a total of 12 league and cup matches so far this season, showing a total of 44 yellow cards and two reds.
Blake Antrobus and Robert Hyde are due to be the assistant referees as Tom Cleverley’s men look to get back to winning ways following the defeat at Swansea City, with Josh Smith the fourth official.
Tomorrow will be 26 years and one day since the Hornets last faced Oxford in a league game at Vicarage Road, Graham Taylor’s side winning the Division One clash 2-0 thanks to goals from Gifton Noel-Williams and Steve Palmer.
Watford host Oxford United at Vicarage Road on Friday night as the two sides prepare for their latest Championship clash.
Watford were beaten 1-0 away at Swansea City last time out and will be eager to bounce back against Oxford United. They are currently sat in 6th place in the table after the first 14 fixtures.
Tom Cleverley’s side have 22 points on the board and are inside the play-offs by a point above West Brom.
The Hornets finished down in 15th in the last campaign and haven’t made a bad start as they look to head into the upcoming international break with three points.
watford, ‘Expecting a loss’ – Watford vs Oxford United prediction: The72
Image courtesy of: PETER CZIBORRA/REUTERS.
As for Oxford United, they were promoted from League One last term after winning the play-off final at Wembley against Bolton Wanderers. They ended up going up along with Portsmouth and Derby County.
Des Buckingham’s men have since adapted well to life in the second tier and are positioned in 16th position, two points above the drop zone.
They returned to winning ways last time out by beating Hull City 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium. New defender Hidde ter Avest scored their winner against the Tigers.
