Watford vs Middlesbrough predictions: Buoyant Boro could be held
- Watford have drawn four of their last eight Championship home games
- Middlesbrough have lost only two of their last 10 Championship away fixtures
- Recommended bet: Draw
Watford have struggled to build on their bright start to the season but they sit eighth in the table and have a big opportunity at home to Middlesbrough, who are just one point and one position above them.
Wednesday night was a case of Deepdale despair for Watford, who slipped to a 3-0 loss away to struggling Preston.
It was Watford’s third successive away defeat but the Hornets have been stronger at Vicarage Road where they have not lost since March.
Middlesbrough will be preparing themselves for a tough task but they head to Hertfordshire in high spirits after back-to-back wins, including Tuesday’s impressive 1-0 victory at West Brom.
Team news
First-choice Watford goalkeeper Dan Bachmann has returned to training and could challenge Jonathan Bond for a place between the posts.
However, Daniel Jebbison and Tom Dele-Bashiru are doubts after missing Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Preston with minor injuries.
Francisco Sierralta (muscle strain), Jeremy Ngakia (hip) and Kevin Keben (knee) remain unavailable.
The visitors are without Darragh Lenihan (ankle), Jonny Howson, Dael Fry (both leg), Alex Bangura and Tom Smith (both Achilles).
However, central defender Rav van den Berg returned from injury to start Tuesday’s 1-0 success at West Brom, while Marcus Forss featured on the bench at The Hawthorns and is edging closer to full fitness.
The stats
Watford are unbeaten in their last 10 home games, although they have have drawn four of their last eight Championship home fixtures.
Seven of Watford’s last nine Championship matches have generated at least three goals.
Middlesbrough have lost only two of their last 10 Championship away matches.
Boro have scored the opening goal in four of their last five fixtures.
Prediction
Watford have a few questions to answer after Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at Preston, but they are unbeaten in 10 home matches and can share the spoils with in-form Middlesbrough this weekend.
There has been a lack of resilience about Watford on their travels with 10 goals conceded on four road trips.
But the Hornets have been more convincing on home soil and delivered a gutsy performance when winning 2-1 against Sunderland last weekend.
Boro will expect a Watford response and they might fall short in their quest for a third successive victory.
Michael Carrick’s side ticked a lot of boxes with Tuesday’s 1-0 victory at West Brom, but they are the lowest scorers in the top 11 and a lack of ruthlessness may cost them a couple of points against Watford, who have scored in seven successive home games.
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