Watford manager Walter Mazzarri has claimed that the next six games could determine whether or not his side will stay in the Premier League this season.

The Hornets have lost three of their last four outings, but still sit seven points clear of the relegation zone in 11th place.

However, a six-match period in the space of 24 days will see Watford face Everton, Manchester City, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City, and Mazzarri talked up the importance of the festive period.

"It's very important. The next six games will probably decide our future and decide if we are going to be in the Premier League," he told reporters.

"It will decide in a certain way, if we are going to be up or playing in a different way and struggling more.

"These games will decide this. We have been unlucky on injuries and have been in a bit of an emergency for a couple of months. Now we have to understand what answer the next six games provide on the pitch."

Watford won just four of their 21 league games between Christmas and the end of the season last term.