Preview: Watford vs. Blackburn Rovers – prediction, team news, lineups

Watford play host to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon with just three points separating the teams in the Championship standings.

At a time when the Hornets occupy ninth place in the table, Rovers have recently gotten back on track to move into sixth position.

Match preview

© Imago

As long as Watford sit in the top 10 of the standings, Watford fans will be relatively content with their efforts under Tom Cleverley.

Nevertheless, the Hornets have now prevailed in just two of their most recent eight fixtures, each of their five defeats coming away from Vicarage Road.

That is arguably the saving grace for Cleverley, who has accumulated 13 points from a possible 15 on home territory to ease any lingering pressure.

In the long term, though, Watford need to find a way to end their losing streak on their travels, losses coming at rivals Luton Town and Leeds United since the October international break.

Positives can be taken from how they responded to conceding twice in the first seven minutes at Elland Road, eventually losing by a 2-1 scoreline, yet there is a desperation about getting back on track at the weekend.

Coincidentally, Blackburn have been equally reliant on their own home record, all but three of their 19 points this season being collected at Ewood Park.

A 1-0 triumph over Swansea City last weekend was followed by a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion earlier this week, allowing John Eustace‘s to move back into the top six.

However, Rovers have lost to Coventry City and Plymouth Argyle in their last two away games, previously posting three draws in a row on their travels.

They are now tasked with ending Watford’s nine-game unbeaten home record in the league, a streak that stretches back to last season.

Watford Championship form:

Watford form (all competitions):

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

Team News

© Imago

With Angelo Ogbonna out injured, Cleverly must decide whether Francisco Sierralta or Ryan Porteous deputise in the Watford back three.

Unless bringing Vakoun Bayo back into the attack, Cleverley may stick with the remainder of the starting lineup from the Leeds game.

Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann will likely keep his place despite his two errors at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Danny Batth will be recalled to the Blackburn defence as a replacement for the injured Hayden Carter, who injured his knee versus West Brom.

Arnor Sigurdsson, Andreas Weimann and Makhtar Gueye are all in contention to return in the final third.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Pollock, Porteous, Morris; Ebosele, Ince, Sissoko, Kayembe, Larouci; Chakvetadze, Baah

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Rankin-Costello, Batth, Hyam, Beck; Travis, Tronstad; Hedges, Dolan, Cantwell; Gueye

We say: Watford 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Although these teams have been going in different directions in the table since last weekend, we cannot ignore Watford’s outstanding home form. With that in mind, we are backing Cleverley’s side to get back on track with a hard-fought win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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