Plymouth v Watford predictions: Pilgrims can shine once again at home

Steve Davies

Spotlight

Plymouth will look to maintain their home form against Watford

- Plymouth are one point above the relegation zone
- Watford occupy the sixth and final play-off spot
- Recommended bet: Plymouth to win

Plymouth have picked up 14 of their 16 Championship points at home, so they should be confident that a packed Home Park will roar them to glory against Watford.

The Hornets could go as high as fourth in the table this weekend, but six defeats to go with eight wins shows a worrying lack of consistency.

Team news

Skipper Joe Edwards, defender Brendan Galloway and winger Ibrahim Cissoko are long-term absentees for Wayne Rooney.

Rooney still has not found a like-for-like replacement for Finn Azaz in the No.10 role, with any of Callum Wright, Mustapha Bundu or Rami Al Hajj hoping for the nod.

For Watford, right-back or wing-back Festy Ebosele is suspended, though central defender Francisco Sierralta and veteran midfielder Moussa Sissoko are both available after bans. Angelo Ogbonna remains sidelined.

Several players from both camps were involved in internationals on Tuesday night, including Watford's African trio of Vakoun Bayo, Edo Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia.

Moussa Sissoko will return from suspension for Watford on Friday evening

The stats

Plymouth have won four and lost just one of their seven home games, collecting 14 of their 16 points at Home Park.

However, they concede more shots per game at home, 14.1, than any other Championship team.

With 22 goals conceded, sixth-placed Watford have let in more goals than any side in the top half of the table.

Away from home, the Hornets have lost six matches and conceded 18 goals, both joint-highest totals in the division. They have not kept a clean sheet in their last 11 away games stretching back to mid-April.

Plymouth (4 goals) and Watford (5) have scored fewer first-half goals than any other teams in the division.

The latest Plymouth v Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Last season, there was nothing between these sides, who played out a drab 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw at Home Park.

This season, there are 12 places between them, with Watford dreaming of promotion while Argyle look over their shoulders.

However, Plymouth have lost only one more match than their guests and the truth is that both of these teams are inconsistent.

Plymouth are a solid unit at home, though, and with Watford already losing six times on the road, Rooney's Green Army look overpriced.

Some of Watford's key players will get less than two days to prepare for the game due to their international commitments and the hosts should be well prepared for Friday's Championship encounter.

Back Plymouth to win at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet