Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s friendly clash between Hibernian and Watford, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Watford are set to travel to Easter Road on Wednesday to face up against Hibernian as both teams continue their preparations ahead of their domestic league seasons.
Hibs’ competitive season is already underway with three Scottish League Cup matches played, whereas the visitors are gearing up for their fifth of seven pre-season friendlies.
Match preview
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After securing victories in three friendlies against Edinburgh City FC, MSV Duisburg, and PAOK, Hibernian’s competitive season got underway in mid-July with three Scottish League Cup matches.
David Gray got off to the perfect start as Hibs manager with his side running out 5-0 winners against Elgin City before another commanding 5-1 victory against Queen’s Park FC.
Despite naming another strong side in their third match against Scottish League One side Kelty Hearts FC, Hibernian were surprisingly defeated 1-0 with Callum Flatman scoring just before the hour mark.
Gray will have the opportunity to get his side back to winning form before their final Group C game against Peterhead as Hibernian are set to welcome Watford to Easter Road in a pre-season friendly fixture.
The Hornets have endured a challenging pre-season ahead of Tom Cleverley‘s first full season in charge of the club, winning just one of their four friendlies thus far.
Disappointing defeats to Reading and, most recently, Gillingham suggest another difficult campaign for Watford, who finished in the bottom half of the EFL Championship for the first time since 2013-14 last year.
Cleverley will be looking for a significantly improved performance against Hibernian on Wednesday as he prepares his team for the opening matchday of the 2024-25 Championship season, set to take place in just over two weeks.
Watford’s primary concern will be their recent poor defensive record, conceding 61 goals in 46 league games last season and a further six in their four pre-season fixtures so far, all coming against lower-division opponents.
Hibernian friendly form:
Hibernian form (all competitions):
Watford friendly form:
Team News
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Following a disappointing loss to Kelty Hearts in the Scottish League Cup, Gray is likely to name a strong side as he aims to get his side back to winning ways before their final group game.
Dylan Vente and Martin Boyle, who scored six goals between them in the opening two League Cup matches, were unable to hit the net last time out, and both will be eager to get back amongst the goals here.
Moussa Sissoko made his first start last time out having returned to the club after departing for Nantes two years ago, and the industrious midfielder is likely to feature from the beginning again here.
Edo Kayembe and Tom Dele-Bashiru have started in midfield in each of the last two friendlies, and are both expected to start alongside Sissoko once again in this one.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; Miller, Kiranga, O’Hora, Obita; Amos, Levitt, Tavares; Boyle, Vente, McKirdy
Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Pollock, Sierralta, Porteous; Andrews, Sissoko, Kayembe, Dele-Bashiru, Sema; Baah, Bayo
We say: Hibernian 2-1 Watford
While Hibernian fell to an underwhelming defeat in their last outing, Watford have been lacklustre throughout their pre-season, and we expect that trend to continue with a victory for the hosts.
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