Stoke vs Watford Prediction: Hornets can sting the Potters

Stoke City are still having consistency issues under Mark Robins in the Championship. The Potters have lost their last two games by an aggregate score of 7-3 and their next fixture sees them host Watford at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday (15:00).

The Hornets have had their own consistency problems this term but they head into this clash off the back of two wins, which appears to have reignited their play-off push. Read on for my Stoke vs Watford predictions, aided by the latest match odds and team news.

Stoke vs Watford Odds

Stoke have only managed to win two of their last six home games in the Championship and they are 6/4 to triumph on Saturday.

Two of the games in that run ended in draws, which is marketed at 23/10.

Watford have won two games in a row, as well as two of their previous four away trips in the second tier. They are 15/8 (which has an implied probability of 34.8%) to come away with the three points.

Both teams to score has been a successful bet in Stoke's past three fixtures in the league, and this market is available at 4/6 (60%).

Football Odds

Team News

Ben Gibson, Sol Sidibe, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Lynden Gooch are out injured for Stoke, while Ali Al-Hamadi and Wouter Burger remain doubts.

Robins gave an update about the latter two on Thursday and gave hope that there is still time for them to make it into the squad for Saturday. He said: “(Ali)’s got an injury he picked up I presume on Saturday, but he might have had it a little bit earlier than that. He’s got a little bit of an injury but we’re hoping that he’s going to be ok, the same for Wouter. Wouter’s not far away either.”

Eric Bocat and Sam Gallagher are back in action but for now they have been limited to cameos as they work their way back up to full fitness. Jordan Thompson has just returned from injury and both he and Bosun Lawal are options to play in the midfield.

Michael Rose is another doubt for the Potters having been withdrawn in the closing stages against Middlesbrough last time out.

For Watford, they are missing first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann because of an ankle issue, and he is not expected back until April. Egil Selvik should continue in between the sticks for the Hornets as a result.

Attacker Kwadwo Baah is sidelined with a thigh problem, but boss Tom Cleverley has been able to cover his absence with Tom Ince operating on the right flank.

Watford to win @ 15/8

Stoke are currently sat just five points above the bottom three and their consistency is troubling considering Plymouth Argyle have been picking up wins recently. The Pilgrims look much better-equipped under Miron Muslic, and many feel that they will have what it takes to stay up.

This means that Stoke need to start putting consistent results together, otherwise they could be dragged into a scrap they themselves may not be prepared for. Their recent defeat to Middlesbrough, who had lost five games in a row before facing Potters, highlights the danger that Stoke could be in if they fail to put more wins on the board.

Watford travel to the Potteries off the back of something rare, consecutive victories. These triumphs have taken the Hornets to within three points of the play-offs, and with how this campaign has unfolded so far, most of the teams can push for a top-six finish if they can end the final months strongly.

The visitors are one of the teams for which this aim is achievable, and I fancy them to capitalise on the opportunity in front of them against Stoke at the weekend.

Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11

There have been no shortage of goals in Stoke's recent encounters in the Championship. Four of the last five outings in the second tier have produced at least three goals, including their last two appearances at the bet365.

As such, I think over 2.5 goals is worth backing to strike again. The Potters are looking particularly vulnerable at the back at the moment, and given that they are nervously looking over their shoulder, I think they will be prone to shipping more goals at the weekend.

Over 2.5 goals has also been a successful bet in four of Watford's past seven fixtures in the league, including two of their previous three away trips.

Offers

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