Stoke – Watford will play on Friday, January 22, starting at 19:45 in the 26th round of the second strongest league in the world, Championship.
The most recent direct confrontation took place on November 4, 2020. Then, Watford won 3-2 on Vicarage Road, the winning goal being scored by Ismaila Sarr in the 90 + 2 minute.
The host team comes after a 3-3 away to Rotherham. It was the second consecutive draw for the group coached by Michael O’Neill and the 5th round without a victory, during which he recorded four draws and a defeat. So, after a good start to the season, Stoke is in a loss of form and fell to 8 in the Championship with a total of 37 points, 5 lengths away from the top 6. It is worth noting that the host team in 10 of the last 11 home games.
On the other hand, the visiting group comes after a success at home with Barnsley, 1-0. It was the 3rd victory in the 4 rounds of the new Iberian coach, Xisco. It should be noted that all these 3 games won were obtained without a goal. Therefore, Watford occupies the 4th position with a total of 43 points, just 3 lengths away from the 2nd place that leads directly to the Premier League.
Stoke have scored in 10 of their last 11 home games in the Championship;
Stoke without victory in the last 5 stages, 4 draws and a defeat;
Watford, the weakest “offside” offensive in the Championship, 5 goals scored in 11 away games;
Stoke: Bursik; Collins, Souttar, Chester; Smith, Allen, Mikel, Thompson, McClean; Powell, Fletcher
Watford: Bachmann; Femenia, Troost-Ekong, Sierralta, Masina; Sarr, Chalobah, Hughes, Zinckernagel; Deeney, Peter
Stoke is in a slight decline, and Watford has only two successes and 5 goals in 11 away games. In addition, with Xisco on the bench, the visiting group is not very spectacular. In these conditions, we expect a balanced match in which Watford is slightly the favorite.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / NO @ 1,76
