Preston North End
- The Lilywhites have had an up and down season so far, sitting 7th in the table on 47 points from 31 games.
- Paul Heckingbottom has been in charge at Deepdale since August 2024 and his flexible and structured approach has given Preston a strong identity.
- The Lilywhites can play a 3-5-2 system when they need to with the width coming from their wing-backs.
- They are usually very compact, pressing well with their front two and looking to transition quickly.
- They have been less impressive recently, however, winning only one of their last five in the league.
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Their last three results have seen them lose 4-0 away to Middlesbrough, draw 1-1 at Ipswich and beat Portsmouth 1-0 at home.
- Lose 4-0 v Middlesbrough
- Draw 1-1 v Ipswich
- Win 1-0 v Portsmouth
Watford
- Watford are a team with a very different identity, with a back four and usually a 4-2-3-1 system, preferring to play patiently and build up from the back before overloading the middle of the park.
- It’s been a frustrating run for Watford recently, failing to win any of their last five league matches with three draws and two defeats.
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They have drawn two and lost one of their last three matches, suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Swansea, a 0-0 draw at Hull and a 1-0 away defeat to Southampton.
- 2-0 v Swansea (H)
- 0-0 v Hull (A)
- 1-0 v Southampton (A)
Head-to-Head
- Preston have won two of the last five Championship meetings with Watford, who have won once and drawn twice.
- The last meeting between these two was a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road two months ago.
Key Players
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Luca Kjerrumgaard is the Hornets’ most dangerous player this term with eight goals in 29 Championship appearances, but Alfie Devine (6 in 30) can provide a spark at the other end for Preston.
- Luca Kjerrumgaard - 8 in 29
- Alfie Devine - 6 in 30
Betting Insights
- Preston North End will be expected to justify their 3.05 odds for this Saturday’s home Championship match against Watford, who are 2.34 favourites and could do with the win more.
- Both teams have found goals hard to come by recently and with Under 2.5 goals at 1.65 we are likely to get a close match.
Prediction
The hosts have the stronger home record this season, however, and with Watford struggling on the road and with a little uncertainty about who they are under Still, our play is for the hosts to win or a tight draw.
