MATCH PREVIEW: Watford v West Ham (Carling Cup Third Round) (From This Is Local London)

MATCH PREVIEW: Watford v West Ham (Carling Cup Third Round)

4:56pm Tuesday 23rd September 2008 in West Ham - Match Previews

LAST MEETING: West Ham 0-1 Watford, Premier League (10-02-2007) A Darius Henderson penalty in the 12th minute was enough for the Hornets to overcome the Hammers at Upton Park two seasons ago. West Ham's attack line comprised of Aston Villa's Marlon Harewood and Fulham's Bobby Zamora, with Carlos Tevez coming on as a second-half substitute.

LAST TIME AT VICARAGE ROAD: Watford 1-1 West Ham, Premier League (22-08-2006) Marlon King's 63rd minute strike was cancelled out just two minutes later by Bobby Zamora, rescuing a point for the Irons, while Teddy Sheringham came on just a minute later for Marlon Harewood but failed to find a winner.

HEAD TO HEAD: West Ham 23 wins, Watford seven wins, five draws.

FORM: Watford have won just two of their first seven games in the Championship this season, leaving them in 17th place. Their away form is poor, having lost two and drawn one but their record at Vicarage Road is better, with two victories, a loss and a draw.

STAR MAN: Tommy Smith - The sprightly forward has notched four goals in just seven games for the Hornets this season, making him the league's joint second highest scorer.

Smith enjoyed two seasons with Derby, where he scored 21 goals before being lured back to Watford, signing for £500,000 in 2006 where he is a permanent fixture for Aidy Boothroyd's side.

FUN FACT: Pop legend Elton John is Watford's most famous fan, having owned the club on two separate occasions, while he also performed a concert at Vicarage Road in 2005 with the funds raised going to the club. Elton will be cheering his beloved Hornets on against West Ham tonight and he will no doubt be hoping they do not waver like a Candle In The Wind against their higher league opponents.