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 that 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
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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
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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
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.