ADAM FINE FINISH
WATFORD: Bachmann 6; Femenia 7, Troost-Ekong 7, Sierralta 7, Masina 8; Zinckernagel 6 (Hungbo 80), Hughes 7, Joao Pedro 7 (Success 88); Sarr 7, Gray 6 (Sanchez 66, 7), Sema 6. Unused subs: Elliot, Ngakia, Wilmot, Cathcart, Perica, Navarro.
NOTT’M FOREST: Samba 6; Christie 7, Figueiredo 6, Worrall 7, Bong 6 (Blackett 81); Yates 5 (Cafu 57, 6), Garner 6; Freeman 5 (Lolley 57, 6), Krovinovic 5 (Taylor 81), Knockaert 6; Murray 5. Unused subs: Smith, Mbe Soh, Colback, Ameobi, Jenkinson, Blackett.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Adam Masina. First goal in 13 months made the difference and sealed Watford’s sixth win in seven games.
REFEREE: Jon Moss 5.
1
JOHN COLEMAN has urged Accrington to keep fighting for their lives after beating Swindon.
Robins striker Brett Pitman equalised Dion Charles’ early opener but Stanley secured the win thanks to
Colby Bishop’s header.
“We have got to the psychological barrier of 50 points,” said Accrington manager Coleman. Swindon boss John Sheridan added: “We didn’t do the simple things.”
ALEX REVELL insists there is work to do at Stevenage despite beating Harrogate.
Elliott List scored the only goal of the game to extend Stevenage’s unbeaten run to five league matches.
The midfielder latched on to goalkeeper Jamie Cumming’s long punt and rounded James Belshaw in the 52nd minute to score.
Revell said: “It wasn’t the type of football that we know we can play.”
Harrogate boss Simon Weaver remained positive, he said: “If we play like that, it’s going to be an exciting time.”
ZINEDINE ZIDANE is banking on fit-again striker Karim Benzema to inject some muchneeded attacking flair to his Real Madrid attack ahead of today’s Madrid derby.
Real will be desperate to beat La Liga leaders Atletico to keep their title hopes alive.
And top-scorer Benzema has been declared fit in a boost to Real’s chances.
The Frenchman has been sidelined with a muscle injury since scoring in a 2-0 win over Valencia almost a month ago.
Real have managed only one goal per game in the three matches he has missed and boss Zidane, who is still without the likes of injured duo Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos, said: “Karim will be with us.
“We all know how important he is to us – he is vital to our system of play, especially when we have the ball.
“He is a joy to watch and to coach. When he arrived here there was a lot of hype about him, and more than 10 years later we can all see the player he is and how he’s improved.”
Despite the importance of the game with their city rivals, Zidane (above) said: “We are treating it like a final, like we do every game as we always want to win.
“But whatever happens we’re going to stay alive in the title race.”
Atletico, who are eyeing a first Spanish top-flight title since 2014, will have Kieran Trippier back for the first time since January after the defender completed a 10-week FA ban for breaking betting rules while playing in England.
Atletico chief Diego Simeone said the England international full-back’s return would bring more dynamism to his side.
“He has been training this whole time and as you can imagine for a player who has trained and could not play, he is really looking forward to it,” Simeone said.