Whether you think of Watford as the Hornets or by their new-fangled nickname the Golden Boys, Huddersfield Town face a tough mission in removing their sting or tarnishing their bright recent record.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s team arrived at the John Smith’s Stadium fifth in the Championship having won four of their last five league games, three of them away.

Fulham, Reading and Cardiff City have all been beaten by a side who have scored 20 of their 43 goals in a dozen matches on the yellow brick road.

The club who came to life 40 years ago under the leadership of Elton John are having another push for the Premier League.

Back in 1970, when Town celebrated promotion from the original Division II by beating Watford 3-1 in front of 27,916 at Leeds Road in their last match of a well-remembered season, few present would have thought that 45 years later, the Hertfordshire club would have spent four times as many seasons (eight) in the top flight than Town (two).

Those guiding the club (now the Pozzo family from Italy) and, particularly, the team might have changed, with former Chelsea midfielder Jokanovic the fourth different face in the dug-out this season.

But just as when Graham Taylor was manager back in the seventies, Watford have a solid squad well capable of competing with the best the second tier has to offer.

They have also won on their last three visits to Huddersfield, 2-1 in August 2000, 3-2 in September 2013 and 2-1 last season.

Marcus Stewart and Wayne Allison were on target last time Town got the better of Watford at the stadium, in September 1998.

Fans will be eager to see whether Chris Powell pairs Nahki Wells and James Vaughan up front again after they got a joint run-out against Reading in the FA Cup.

Jonathan Hogg’s red card late in the 1-0 third-round defeat means Town will be without the midfield bite and energy of the former Watford man.

Last time that was the case, when illness ruled Hogg out at Rotherham United on Boxing Day, Town went with just Conor Coady and Jacob Butterfield central.

But Watford have tended to play three at the back, giving them numbers in that key area of the pitch, so Powell’s team selection will be interesting.

So will the tactics as Town seek a much-needed three points.