West Brom vs Watford Prediction: Can WBA end losing run?

It feels as though West Bromwich Albion are sliding away from the play-off pack after their late 2-1 defeat to Bristol City in midweek. They’ve now lost three in a row to lose their spot in the top six, and they will want to get back to winning ways on Saturday as they host Watford (15:00), to reignite their fading promotion hopes. 

The Hornets are just one point behind the Baggies and still harbour play-off aspirations of their own, but they will also need to for the win to close the six-point gap on sixth. Below you can find my West Brom vs Watford predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Football Odds

Team News

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray will have to do without his combative midfielder Jayson Molumby after he was sent off at Bristol City late on. Tammer Bany Odeh made a big impact from the bench at Aston Gate and will surely be handed his first Championship start in Molumby’s absence, alongside Alex Mowatt. 

Tom Fellows and Daryl Dike may also come into the starting XI as Mowbray attempts to shock his team into action, with Karlan Grant and Adam Armstrong at risk of losing their shirts at the top end of the pitch. Mikey Johnston would also provide more attacking thrust from wide right, and could come into the side as fans call for more excitement from this WBA outfit. 

For Watford, some unfortunate news. Manager Tom Cleverley has revealed that Yasser Larouci may miss the rest of the season due to a groin strain, having picked up the issue in training ahead of the win over Hull. 

"He'll be two to three weeks so it's touch and go whether we see Yasser again this season," Cleverley said in his pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, Giorgi Chakvetadze looks to be out for the season which comes as a massive blow, with Kwadwo Baah also sidelined. 

Tom Dele-Bashiru and James Abankwah both came off against the Tigers but are fit to return to action in this one. 18-year-old Zavier Massiah-Edwards is missing with concussion so fellow teenager Mamadou Doumbia will start up front again, while 20-year-old Caleb Wiley will start again at left-back after another impressive display.

West Brom vs Watford Odds

West Brom are priced at 4/5 to end their losing run, which gives them an implied win probability of 55%. Watford can be backed at 18/5 to find an away win, having lost 11 of 20 on the road so far. A draw is 13/5, BTTS is 1/1 and over 2.5 goals is 11/10. Armstrong and Dike are both priced at 5/1 to score first for the home side. 

Under 1.5 goals @  21/10

I just cannot see this game being a thriller, despite what is seemingly riding on it. Although both of these teams certainly have a chance if they go on winning runs, it feels like the duo will have to settle for top-half finishes this term. Recently, Watford have been stingy when it comes to goals with four of their last five having one goal or fewer in it. 

They beat Hull 1-0 last time out and only their trip to free-scoring Bristol City has had over 1.5 goals in recent weeks. Meanwhile, WBA also lost 2-1 at Ashton Gate in midweek but that has been their only game in their last seven to contain over 2.5 goals. 

I see two decent defences and two teams that will cancel each other out in this one. The home side have attacking talent that isn’t being utitlised right now, while Watford are having to start teenagers up top due to their injury issues. We’re in for a tepid afternoon at the Hawthorns in my eyes.

Bet Builder - Correct score 0-0 and over 39.5 booking points @ 12/1

Let’s wrap up with a Bet Builder, and following on from my low-scoring theory, I’m going to back a 0-0. I just cannot see either side having enough about them to score goals, with Mowbray unable to get his frontmen firing. It won’t suit either side, but I think they will both have to settle for a point on Saturday afternoon. 

I also think we could get a scrappy affair at the Hawthorns, with a decent number of cards. Watford have picked up 83 yellows and three reds this term, while WBA have now also got three reds after Molumby’s dismissal, with 68 yellows. Even without the Irishman, I think we will see a combative game take place, leaving the referee with no choice but to get the cards out. 

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