Watford early team news v West Brom: Valerien Ismael shares Ken Sema update
Watford will be without midfielder Ken Sema for their clash against West Brom following a short-term muscle injury.
Hornets boss Valerien Ismael confirmed (20 September) ahead of the game that the 29-year-old picked up the injury during the international break after playing two full 90 minutes for Sweden.
Sema has started all available matches for Ismael in the Championship this season, but the Watford boss confirmed he will be out of action for a “couple of weeks”.
Bonus
While Sema has not been incredibly productive at Vicarage Road this season, Carlos Corberan will be pleased to see a regular started absent for their key away clash.
Watford and West Brom find themselves with identical form after six matches played: two wins, two draws and two defeats. Both will be eyeing up at least a playoff spot this season, making this clash an early-season six-pointer.
Ismael will be disappointed to be without Sema, whose injury was hoped to be just minor, but a subsequent scan revealed the former Östersunds man may not return for a number of weeks.
Sema is not anywhere near Watford’s biggest attacking threat. With just a single assist this season, the likes of Mileta Rajovic and Matheus Martins have helped the Hornets get the points this season.
That being said, Sema’s versatility will be missed. Per SofaScore, he started Watford’s clash against Blackburn at left-back, but his persistent attacking threat saw him influence the play up and down the left channel.
His biggest threat is his ability to carry the ball and drag his teammates up the pitch. According to FBRef, Sema has the second-most progressive carries for his side this season with 25, so West Brom may have to contend with significantly less pressure at Vicarage Road.
In a showdown that both sides will be eager to take all three points from, Corberan will hope to exploit every possible edge over Ismael’s side.
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