Watford vs Stoke prediction: Hornets and Potters evenly matched ahead of Vicarage Road clash
Tom Clark
Watford have never lost to Stoke at Vicarage Road in the Championship, (W4,D1)
Watford have scored just four goals in their last five while Stoke have netted eight
Recommended bet: Watford and Stoke to draw, both teams to score & Iker Bravo over 0.5 shots on target @ 5.75/1 with LiveScore Bet
Watford welcome Stoke City to Vicarage Road on Saturday with the two sides separated by just one point after six Championship games.
The Hornets returned to winning ways in midweek with a 2-1 victory over Preston North End, coming from behind to claim three points through second-half goals from Edo Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia, ending a run of five without a win in all competitions.
Alessio Dionisi's side have been difficult to beat at home, collecting seven points from their opening three Championship games at Vicarage Road.
However, they have scored only four goals in their last five matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven.
Stoke have also started to find some momentum after a difficult opening to the campaign.
Mark Robins' outfit lost their first three league games but followed that with wins over Norwich City and Charlton Athletic before drawing 1-1 with Cardiff City in midweek.
The Potters' away record remains a concern, though. They have taken just one point from three Championship trips and conceded eight goals, while Watford have never lost to Stoke at Vicarage Road in the Championship, winning four of their five meetings.
Team news
Watford could make changes on the flanks, with Othmane Maamma and Stephy Mavididi pushing for recalls.
Mamadou Doumbia should retain his place after scoring the winner against Preston, while Marc Bola, Edoardo Bove and Kwadwo Baah remain sidelined.
Stoke could name the same side that started the 1-1 draw at Cardiff. Robins has indicated that Bosun Lawal and Sam Gallagher are close to returning, but neither is certain to feature at Vicarage Road.
The latest Watford vs Stoke City odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The Stats
Watford have never lost to Stoke at Vicarage Road in the Championship, winning four of their five meetings
The Hornets have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven matches
Watford have scored just four goals in their last five matches
Stoke have scored eight goals in their last five games
The Potters have taken just one point from their three Championship away matches this season
Stoke have conceded eight goals across their three away league trips
The latest Watford vs Stoke City odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
There is little to choose between these sides in the Championship table, with Watford sitting 12th on eight points and Stoke 16th on seven.
Both have won two of their opening six matches, and their recent form suggests a competitive contest.
Watford's home record is the main reason to favour them avoiding defeat, but their lack of goals is a concern.
The Hornets have scored just four times in their last five matches, while Stoke have found the net eight times over the same period.
That makes both teams to score appealing, particularly with Watford having failed to keep a clean sheet in seven matches and Stoke having scored in all six of their Championship games this season.
The visitors have shown signs of improvement after losing their first three league matches, taking seven points from their last three.
Their poor away record should prevent us from backing them outright, but they have enough attacking threat to earn a share of the spoils.
A player to consider when adding value is Watford midfielder Iker Bravo.
The Spaniard averages 2.79 shots on target per 90 minutes, so he is worth watching to land one or more efforts between the sticks.
Score prediction: Watford 1-1 Stoke
Back Watford and Stoke to draw, both teams to score & Iker Bravo over 0.5 shots on target @ 5.75/1 with LiveScore Bet
