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2021/22 English Premier League
Matchday 24
West Ham United v Watford
London Stadium
London, England
Tuesday, 8 February 2022
Kick-off is at 21h45
West Ham will attempt to climb back into the
Premier League's top-four when they take on struggling Watford at the London Stadium on Tuesday, Fe.bruary 8
David Moyes' side dropped out of the Champions League spots to fifth following their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on January 22.
It was their second loss on the spin after also being beaten 3-2 at home by Leeds six days prior, which halted a run of three successive victories for the east Londoners.
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The Hammers trail fourth-placed United by a single point and Kurt Zouma says that European football remains the target as they look to continue making progress.
"We can always improve. We have a great team, a great bunch of guys, a family, and we are having a great season but we can do better," Zouma told the club's official website.
"We can always do better and the rest will help us recover and prepare ourselves. After the break we have to be ready.
"The goal for the season is to be in Europe. I think West Ham deserve to be there every season and we're going to fight for it."
The Hornets are mired in the relegation zone after a run of eight games without victory left them two points adrift of safety in 19th position.
The 3-0 reverse against Norwich at Vicarage Road on January 21 led to the sacking of Claudio Ranieri, who has subsequently been replaced by Roy Hodgson.
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The former Crystal Palace boss believes he has the expertise to steer the club away from danger, although he acknowledges the task is immense with 18 matches remaining in the campaign.
"It's a massive challenge, but it's a challenge I believe I'm ready to take on and one that I'm very excited about," Hodgson told the club's official website.
"I'm certainly looking forward to it, and if the players are as good as I think they can be, then I'm hopeful of helping the club to another season in the Premier League.
"I'm confident in the sense that I've been in situations that aren't so different to this before, at Fulham, West Brom and Palace. The period of time I had to change things might have been a bit longer on each occasion - and at West Brom the league position wasn't as bleak - but in terms of coming in, getting my ideas across, and getting the team playing, it feels somewhat similar.
"It's going to be a difficult job for Ray [Lewington] and I, as I'm sure it would be for anybody, but I feel we've got the ability to be successful. I can certainly assure all the Watford fans that our desire to keep the club in the league will be every bit as great as theirs, and we'll do everything we can to make that happen."
West Ham are eyeing the league double over Watford for a second consecutive season, having run out convincing 4-1 victors at Vicarage Road on December 28.
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
West Ham - 4
Watford - 1
Draws - 0
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