Gracia wary of resurgent Bluebirds

Javi Gracia has challenged his Watford side to be as hungry for points as relegation-battlers Cardiff in Friday’s Premier League clash.

The Hornets are sitting comfortably in eighth place, just two points behind Wolves, and have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Related: Gracia Urges Watford To Express Themselves

Cardiff, meanwhile, are scrapping to drag themselves clear of the relegation dogfight, with successive victories having moved them up to 17th.

Neil Warnock’s men, though, are just a point above the drop zone and could well find themselves back in the bottom three should results go against them this weekend.

Gracia does not want to see any complacency from his team when they head to Wales on the back of a run of just one defeat in their last 10 matches in all competitions.

“We are looking forward to the game and making a big effort. Cardiff need the points and I must convince my players we need them as well. We have to show it,” the Watford manager said.

“I know how difficult it will be for us to win on Friday. “It will be a demanding game as they are in their best moment of the season after winning two games (in a row). Playing there will be difficult.

“They have changed something, with some players, some players in other positions. They have another balance and now they are competing better.”