Ipswich vs Watford Prediction: Imran the value pick

Ipswich Town have won their last two games in the Championship and look to be gaining momentum in their promotion push. Next up, they host a resurgent Watford side, who have turned a corner since Javi Garcia returned to the club, at Portman Road (19:45, Sky Sports+).

Below you can find my Ipswich vs Watford predictions as we search to land another winner in the second tier.

Team News

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna will be delighted with his team’s performance against QPR, and as a result he is unlikely to make too many changes. Marcelino Nunez scored twice from a dead-ball situation and should start again in the number 10 role, with Sammie Szmodics out injured. 

It will be interesting to see how McKenna manages this three-game week, with Leif Davis potentially in need of a rest. Jack Taylor has impressed lately but Jens Cajuste could come back in. Kasey McAteer is also due a start with Sindre Walle Egeli the most likely to drop out, depending on how much the manager wants to rotate. George Hirst will lead the line once again as Ipswich look for another victory.

Football Odds

Javi Gracia is also unlikely to tinker too much after his Hornets hammered Middlesbrough 3-0. Luca Kjerrumgaard and Mamadou Doumbia made up a deadly forward line while Imran Louza and Hector Kyprianou were a well-drilled midfield duo.

Kwadwo Baah and Rocco Vata played out wide with Nestory Irankunda off the bench, so Gracia has plenty of other options to consider - although I’d expect him to name an unchanged XI here. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Ipswich vs Watford Odds

Ipswich are the 4/6 favourites to win this game, while Watford are priced at 18/5 to take all three points. That gives the home side an implied win probability of 60%, while a draw can be backed at 11/4. 

Over 2.5 goals is 8/11, BTTS is the same price and Hirst is the favourite to open the scoring at 4/1.

Ipswich to win and BTTS @ 11/5 

I think this is going to be a really close one to call but I have to back the hosts to find another win. They’ve got the third-best home form in the league having picked up the 14 points from seven games at Portman Road, and they recorded a wonderful 4-1 win at QPR last time out to give themselves a massive confidence boost. 

With the incredible squad depth they have, it’s only a matter of time before they climb into the top six. Watford have shown excellent improvement under Gracia and put three past Boro on Saturday, while BTTS has come in during eight of Ipswich’s 12 games in the league. I think there’s a decent chance that the home team will edge this despite conceding. 

Imran Louza to score anytime @ 9/2

I just think the odds on offer for the Watford captain to find the net in this one are fantastic. He’s been one of, if not the standout midfielder in the Championship this year and he continues to flourish in front of goal. Five goals from 10 this season have all come in his last seven league appearances, making him Watford’s top scorer.

He’s also their penalty taker and broke into the box with perfect timing to fire home against Boro and make it three goals in three games. Louza is a whopping 12/1 to score first, but I’m not that brave, so will instead take a fancy at the 9/2 on him to find the net anytime. 

Offers

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