• Watford have only lost one league match at home all season

• Middlesbrough have accrued 25 points from their opening 12 Championship fixtures

• Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win

High-flying Middlesbrough make the long journey south to face an inconsistent Watford outfit, who boast an impressive recent home record.

This intriguing contest is part of Saturday’s bustling Championship fixture schedule, which follows leaders Coventry’s visit to Wrexham on Friday night.

The Hornets have two wins and two defeats in their last four games and will be hoping to find some consistency but Rob Edwards’ visitors are going well in second spot.

Team News

After becoming the second Watford player to receive his marching orders this season during last weekend’s loss to leaders Coventry City, James Abankwah is currently suspended.

That should result in Mattie Pollock partnering Kevin Keben and former Boro’ star Marc Bola in a defensive three, although Javi Gracia did opt to deploy a back four against Sheffield United.

Kwadwo Baah and Moussa Sissoko are both doubts after failing to complete the full 90 minutes last time out, while Georgian international playmaker Giorgi Chakvetadze is still recovering from a stress fracture.

Having pulled his hamstring within the opening minutes of Middlesbrough’s goalless draw with Stoke in September, ex-Rangers defender George Edmundson has been missing since.

Fellow centre-back Darragh Lenihan faces another cruel injury blow, after incurring a separate achilles issue to the one that has kept him out since autumn 2023.

Edwards may look to freshen up his attack following a couple of goal-shy performances, with Scottish international Tommy Conway hoping to return to the starting XI. Midfielder Abdoulaye Kante remains sidelined after undergoing a hernia operation in midweek.

The latest Watford vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Watford have dropped points at Vicarage Road on just two occasions this term, with both of these results coming immediately either side of the first international break.

After going three games unbeaten, the Hornets have lost in two of their last three league outings.

Middlesbrough have only conceded five goals on the road so far.

Only five of the Teesiders’ 12 Championship contests have produced more than three goals.

Prediction

Although Vicarage Road has developed into somewhat of a fortress in recent months, Boro’ undoubtedly have enough attacking quality to break down Watford’s resistance.

However, Javi Gracia’s men also have plenty of firepower. Moroccan midfielder Imran Louza has been in scintillating form, grabbing crucial equalisers during the Hornets’ encounters with Hull, Portsmouth, and West Brom before claiming a second-half consolation against Coventry City.

Furthermore, Middlesbrough lost both of last season’s meetings between these two sides, with Watford winning 2-1 on home soil before February’s narrow victory at the Riverside.

Nevertheless, Boro seem to have the bit between their teeth this season. After relying on a late

Hayden Hackney header to rescue a point at home to Wrexham last weekend, expect the Smoggies to be all over this one like a rash.

Although Watford will provide a stern test, Middlesbrough can make the trip north easier by landing a fourth away win in seven attempts.

Back Middlesbrough to win @ 7/5 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Watford vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet