Watford vs Blackburn predictions: Home comforts can assist Hornets
- Watford are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches
- Blackburn have not won any of their last five away fixtures
- Recommended bet: Watford draw no bet
Watford were among the early-season Championship pace-setters, but they were bumped down to ninth after Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Leeds and will be eager to halt their recent slide when taking on Blackburn this weekend.
Tom Cleverley’s Hornets were sixth going into the October international break, but their play-off aspirations have been dented by back-to-back away defeats which started with a painful 3-0 reverse at bitter rivals Luton.
While Watford have toiled on their travels, Blackburn have enjoyed playing at home.
They have taken four points from back-to-back Ewood Park fixtures, including Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against West Brom which lifted them into the top six.
Team news
Francisco Sierralta (muscle strain) returned to the Hornets side for Tuesday’s defeat at Leeds, but Tom Dele-Bashiru (swollen knee), Jeremy Ngakia (hip) and Kevin Keben (knee) missed out.
Daniel Jebbison was left out of the squad at Elland Road and manager Tom Cleverley cited a lack of confidence as the reason for the Bournemouth’s loanee’s omission.
Blackburn pair Harry Leonard (shoulder) and Zak Gilsenan (muscle strain) missed Tuesday's game at home to West Brom.
Hayden Carter was forced off with a knee injury against the Baggies and Scott Wharton (knee) is sidelined for the rest of the year due to a cruciate knee ligament injury.
The stats
Watford have won seven of their last eight home matches, while 10 of their last 12 Championship matches have generated at least three goals.
They have conceded the first goal in each of their last four fixtures, but the Hornets have triumphed 2-1 in three of their last four home matches.
Blackburn have won on just one of their last seven trips to Vicarage Road.
Four of Rovers’ last six games have featured less than three goals and two have finished goalless.
Prediction
Watford are in need of a response after back-to-back away defeats, but they are a tough nut to crack at Vicarage Road and look the likelier winners against Blackburn in Hertfordshire.
Losing any match is a difficult experience, but the hosts will have taken plenty of positives away from their single-goal reverse at Leeds after they delivered a strong second-half performance.
Cleverley’s side have been ultra-reliable at home, taking 13 points from a possible 15, so they should fancy their chances against Blackburn, who have been vulnerable on their travels.
John Eustace’s Rovers will be delighted with their lofty league position in sixth, but they have sustained successive away defeats and could be stung by the Hornets.
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