The Bluebirds ended their run of consecutive defeats with a Boxing Day draw at Charlton and they may use their strength in numbers to make changes.The match may come too soon for Anthony Pilkington (hamstring), but Federico Macheda, Fabio and Kadeem Harris will be keen to return to the line-up after dropping to the bench on Friday
Mats Moller Daehli left the Welsh club this week for German club Freiburg, and Bruno Ecuele Manga could play his penultimate match for the club before jetting off to January's African Cup of Nations with Gabon.
Watford will have Gabriele Angella available again after suspension for the trip.
The Italian defender missed Boxing Day's 1-0 home loss to Wolves after being sent off for two bookable offences in the previous win at Reading.
Compatriot Gianni Munari returned from a slight hamstring strain to feature at Vicarage Road on Friday, while Troy Deeney also overcame a dead leg.
Odion Ighalo hit the woodwork twice when coming off the bench against Wanderers and could start this time, but Swedish defender Joel Ekstrand has been absent since the end of November due to a lower back problem.
Match Facts
Head-to-Head
• Cardiff won the earlier meeting 1-0 at Vicarage Road on 29 November.
• Cardiff are unbeaten in the last six meetings, winning three. Watford's last win was 4-1 at Vicarage Road in the Championship on 28 December 2010.
• Cardiff have won four of the last five meetings at home, drawing the other. Watford's last win there was 2-1 in September 2007.
Cardiff
• Cardiff have not won any of their last four games, losing two. Their last win was 1-0 at Watford on 29 November.
• Cardiff lost their last home game 3-2 against Brentford on 20 December - their first defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium since September.
Watford
• Watford lost 1-0 against Wolves at home on Boxing Day, after winning their previous three games.
• Watford have won their last two away games - 5-0 at Fulham on 5 December and 1-0 at Reading on 20 December.
Source: PA