Watford vs Sunderland: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Watford host Sunderland at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon with both sides having little to play for with two matches remaining in the Championship.
Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time.
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Watford
Tom Cleverley's men's Championship status is now mathematically secure for next season after an impressive run which has seen them suffer just one loss in seven matches. Only one of those games have ended in victory though, with Watford picking up five draws across that period. The run has seen them land in 15th position.
Watford have actually fared slightly better in away fixtures so far, averaging 1.32 points on the road compared to only 1.09 at home. Their last three outings at Vicarage Road have ended in a draw, with their last home win dating all the way back to November when they beat Norwich City 3-2.
It's little wonder Cleverley's side have drawn so many matches given the similar amounts of goals scored and conceded; an average of 1.41 scored compares to 1.27 shipped at home, with Watford failing to score in five of their 22 home outings. They have however registered clean sheets in seven of those games.
12 have also seen over 2.5 goals in total.
Sunderland
The away side head into the fixture in 13th, three points ahead of their opponents on Saturday. Though Mike Dodds' side have struggled on the road this term, averaging 1.09 points, they have won two of their last three while drawing the other.
Sunderland have also recorded clean sheets in all three of these outings, taking their tally to seven on the road. An average of 1.05 goals conceded is also a respectable return, but their main concern has been at the top of the pitch.
The Black Cats have averaged only 1.18 goals scored in total, dropping to one in away games, and have failed to score in an alarming eight away outings so far. Both teams have found the net in 45% of these matches.
Prediction
Watford's home record makes for an astonishing read, and it's hard to back a home win when they've not won at Vicarage Road in six months. Sunderland have also impressed in away fixtures in recent weeks and will look to push for a top-half finish in the final two matchdays.