Watford vs Preston North End: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Watford host Preston North End on Saturday afternoon in the Sky Bet Championship. The visitors are aiming to move closer to the playoff positions, coming into the tie five points adrift with one game in hand.
The hosts enter the game a comfortable ten points clear of the relegation zone but with any hopes of returning to the Premier League now out of their reach.
Kick-off is set for 3pm at Vicarage Road.
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Watford
The hosts come into the tie unbeaten in their last three matches but having failed to win at home in their last seven. They were held to a 2-2 draw last time out away from home against West Bromwich Albion, conceding late on in the 91st minute.
Watford have been weak at home this season, averaging 1.1 points per game with only 22 of their total 50 points coming at Vicarage Road. They have created an expected goal (xG) tally of 1.61 per home match this season, netting an average of 1.55 goals per game at home and taking a high average of 12.4 shots per home game.
The Hornets have an expected goals against (xGA) tally of 1.11 at home this season but have failed to match it, conceding an average of 1.4 goals per game at Vicarage Road. They have only managed to keep a clean sheet in 25% of their matches both home and away.
Cleverley speaks on disappointment but optimism for what's ahead. 👇
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 1, 2024
Preston North End
The visitors had won three consecutive away matches in the Championship without conceding a goal prior to their 1-0 loss away against Birmingham City last time out. The defeat at St. Andrews Park was only their second in eleven matches.
Preston have struggled to create chances in the league this season, failing to score in 32% of their away matches and averaging only 3.3 shots per game. They have created an xG tally of only 0.79 in away matches this season but have been clinical with their chances with a shot conversion rate of 16%, netting an average of 1.11 goals per game on the road.
The Lilywhites have an xGA tally of 1.3 on the road this season in the Championship, conceding a slightly lower average of 1.26 goals per game. They have kept a clean sheet in 32% of their away matches, a much stronger statistic than at home where they have kept a clean sheet in only 15% of their games.
Prediction
With the hosts struggling at home this season in the Championship and failing to win in their last seven matches at Vicarage Road, we disagree with Watford being favourites with the bookmakers.
Other than their loss to Birmingham last time out, Preston have been in strong form and have more to play for with the playoff positions still within their grasp. Therefore, OddsNow expect the visitors to take all three points despite facing a tough challenge.