Watford vs Stoke predictions: Hornets can stay on the winning trail

Daniel Childs

Spotlight

Tom Cleverley will be delighted with two wins and eight goals from Watford so far

- Watford have won three of their last four matches
- Stoke have conceded first in six of their last nine Championship away games
- Recommended bet: Watford to win

Neither Watford nor Stoke were among the fancied teams at the start of the Championship season but both have followed league wins with progress in the EFL Cup and are approaching the weekend head-to-head in Hertfordshire with plenty of confidence.

The Hornets opened with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Millwall before showing their class in a 5-0 demolition of League Two MK Dons on Tuesday.

But they will be respectful of Stoke, who triumphed 1-0 at home to Coventry last Saturday before registering a solid 2-0 success at fourth tier Carlisle.

Team news

Watford made seven changes for Tuesday’s 5-0 victory at home to MK Dons in the EFL Cup and are likely to go back to the majority of the team which started at Millwall last weekend.

However, Tom Cleverley may consider the merits of offering a start to Thomas Ince, who bagged a midweek hat-trick.

Yaser Asprilla has been linked with a move away from the club but has returned to training. Wesley Hoedt (knock) is set to miss out.

Stoke are set to be without Michael Rose (ankle) and Sam Gallagher (calf).

Potters’ manager Steven Schumacher made eight changes for the EFL Cup victory at Carlisle and should revert to his first choice side.

Thomas Ince was handed a start in midweek and grabbed a hat-trick in Watford's cup win over MK Dons

The stats

Watford have won three of their last four matches.

The Hornets have a strong recent record against Stoke and have taken 13 points from the last six Championship meetings.

Each of Watford’s last three matches have generated at least four goals.

Stoke have conceded the first goal in six of their last nine away league games.

Four of the Potters’ last six fixtures have featured fewer than three goals.

The latest Watford vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Watford struggled with their home form last season but they hope to make Vicarage Road a fortress this term and can take a step in the right direction with a victory over Stoke.

A lot of experienced managers have tried and failed to satisfy Watford’s demanding owners but rookie Tom Cleverley is off to a strong start and must have been delighted by his team’s performance in Tuesday’s 5-0 EFL Cup success at home to MK Dons.

Several of Watford’s fringe players delivered impressive performances and offered food for thought for Cleverley, who has a tricky selection to make now.

But the Hertfordshire side can expect a tougher contest against Stoke, who have strengthened in the summer and are also on two wins from two.

Stoke should improve on last season’s 17th place but they have not won a league game at Watford since 2017 and could come up short this weekend.

Back Watford to win at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet