Watford vs Plymouth Prediction: Low-scoring affair expected

Despite consistency being a huge issue for Watford this season, the Hornets are still in a position to push for the Championship play-offs in the final weeks of the season. They welcome strugglers Plymouth Argyle to Vicarage Road on Saturday (12:30, Sky Sports Main Event).

They fell to a defeat against another struggling side in Oxford United last time out, so they will look to avoid a similar fate here. Argyle have won just one of their previous seven matches in the second tier as they are rooted to the bottom of the table, six points adrift of safety. Read on for my Watford vs Plymouth predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Watford are without first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann due to an ACL injury, while Kevin Keben has been struggling with a muscle problem. Winger Kwadwo Baah is a doubt for the weekend because of an issue of his own, while James Abankwah must serve a one-match suspension for his sending off at Oxford United.

Vakoun Bayo is the Hornets' top scorer in the Championship with 10 goals. He had to settle for a place on the bench last time out and Tom Cleverley may decide to put him back up front because they lost that game.

In Baah's absence against Oxford United, veteran midfielder Moussa Sissoko occupied the right side of the attack, and it was clear that they were desperate for some pace on that side. If Baah isn't able to feature on Saturday, Cleverley might consider handing teenager Zavier Tyrone Massiah-Edwards a start.

Plymouth are still missing Muhamed Tijani and Brendan Galloway, while Maksym Talovierov will miss the remainder of the season with a knee issue and fellow defender Julio Pleguezuelo is out of action with broken ribs he suffered against Portsmouth.

Argyle are short of defensive options at the moment which is a nightmare when you're bottom of the table and fighting for survival with eight games left to go.

In better news, the Pilgrims will welcome back Adam Randell Matthew Sorinola from their respective suspensions.

Watford vs Plymouth Odds

Watford have won two of their last four home games in the league, so there isn't much value to be had in backing them to win at 4/6. However, each of their past three victories have seen them keep a clean sheet, so the 6/4 price, which has an implied probability of 40%, looks more appealing.

The draw was the outcome when the teams met at Home Park earlier in the campaign and the stalemate is on offer at 11/4 on this occasion.

Plymouth have lost three of their previous four games in the Championship, and the recent home loss to fellow strugglers Derby County was a huge blow in their survival bid. I wouldn't recommend it, but they are 9/2 to come away with the three points.

At least one team has failed to score in six of Watford's last seven fixtures in the second tier so both teams to score - no is an attractive market at 4/5 (55.6%).

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5

Given how inconsistent these teams are, these selections have been tough to pick out. One thing that stood out to me, though, is that Watford have been involved in a few low-scoring games lately. There have been less than three goals scored in five of their last six outings in the league.

The Hornets have come out on top in three of them, but two of those fixtures were settled by a single goal.

Additionally, under 2.5 goals has been a successful bet in four of Plymouth's previous seven matches in the second tier, three of which came on their travels.

Watford to win 1-0 @ 5/1

I've gone a bit braver with this selection. I don't often go for correct scores but this one does appeal to me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I mentioned that two of Watford's past three victories were won by this scoreline, and Cleverley's side are strangers to blowing teams away.

There is an opportunity to rack up some goals against the worst defence in the division (77 goals conceded) but you wouldn't be confident in them turning over the Pilgrims in style.

The second reason is down to the defensive crisis Argyle are going through at the minute, which will only further hinder their chances of survival. I also think they will still be reeling from their gut-wrenching defeat to Derby, which could end up sealing their fate.

Watford do have players who can create individual moments of brilliance and you think they can conjure up at least one against this struggling Plymouth side.

Offers

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