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Preston North End logo
Championship | Gameweek 8
Oct 2, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Deepdale
Watford logo

Preston
3 - 0
Watford

Osmajic (53', 65'), McCann (75')
Brady (40'), Whiteman (70')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Preston North End vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Preston North End and Watford, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Preston North End play host to Watford on Wednesday evening looking for the win they hope moves them outside of the Championship relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Watford make the trip to Deepdale looking to record their fifth victory in eight second-tier fixtures, the Hornets currently sitting in seventh position in the table.


Match preview

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom on August 08, 2024© Imago

When Paul Heckingbottom began his Preston reign with a victory over Luton Town, the perception was that the storm clouds above Deepdale would soon be lifted.

Instead, Preston have failed to win any of their following four fixtures in the Championship, accumulating two points from a possible 12.

Although there have been credible draws with Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers, Preston went down by a 3-1 scoreline at Millwall at the weekend.

That has left the club sitting in 22nd place in the standings, albeit only on goal difference and still within three points of 16th position.

On a positive note, Heckingbottom is yet to lose a home fixture in charge of Preston, avoiding defeat to Luton, Fulham (EFL Cup) and Blackburn.

As for Watford, it appeared that all momentum had been lost having previously started the campaign with five successive victories in all competitions.

One point and a 4-1 reverse at Norwich across a three-game period left Tom Cleverley scrambling for answers despite the aforementioned perfect start in August.

However, on the back of a spirited 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in the EFL Cup, Watford returned to winning ways on Saturday by edging out Sunderland by the same scoreline.

While it took a late spot kick to seal the three points, it extended Watford's unbeaten record at Vicarage Road in all competitions to six games during 2024-25.

In sharp contrast, you have to go all the way back to the opening weekend of the season for Watford's only away victory this campaign.

Preston North End Championship form:


Preston North End form (all competitions):


Watford Championship form:


Watford form (all competitions):



Team News

Watford manager Tom Cleverley on September 24, 2024© Imago

Heckingbottom will inevitably tinker with his Preston XI for this contest with Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Robbie Brady in line to return at full-back.

Stefan Thordarson could also be restored to the midfield, but Sam Greenwood again misses out through suspension courtesy of the red card that he received versus Blackburn.

Although Cleverley may plausibly name the same Watford XI for this contest, the likes of Tom Ince and Kwadwo Baah are alternatives in the final third.

Angelo Ogbonna has played 90 minutes on two occasions in quick succession and the 36-year-old may be rested with Ryan Porteous an alternative.

The likes of Daniel Bachmann and Francisco Sierralta are among those who will miss out through injury.


Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Kesler-Hayden, Storey, Lindsay, Brady; Thordarson, Whiteman; Bowler, Keane, Holmes; Riis

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bond; Pollock, Ogbonna, Morris; Ebosele, Sissoko, Dele-Bashiru, Larouci; Kayembe, Chakvetadze; Bayo


SM words green background

We say: Preston North End 1-2 Watford

Although both teams have been inconsistent of late, we cannot ignore that Watford got back to winning ways at the weekend. With that in mind, we are backing the Hornets to record another success in the Championship as Cleverley's side look to mount a promotion charge.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Darren Plant

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Game History

How you voted: Preston vs Watford

Preston North End
Draw
Watford
Preston North End
17.1%
Draw
13.4%
Watford
69.5%
82
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20Preston North EndPreston461020164859-1150
21Hull City461213214454-1049
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RPlymouth ArgylePlymouth461113225188-3746
RCardiff CityCardiff46917204873-2544


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