Preview: Preston North End vs. Watford – prediction, team news, lineups
Preston North End play host to Watford on Wednesday evening looking for the win that they hope moves them outside of the Championship relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Watford make the trip to Deepdale looking to record their fifth victory in eight second-tier fixtures, the Hornets currently sitting in seventh position in the table.
When Paul Heckingbottom began his Preston reign with a victory over Luton Town, the perception was that the storm clouds above Deepdale would soon be lifted.
Instead, Preston have failed to win any of their following four fixtures in the Championship, accumulating two points from a possible 12.
Although there have been credible draws with Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers, Preston went down by a 3-1 scoreline at Millwall at the weekend.
That has left the club sitting in 22nd place in the standings, albeit only on goal difference and still within three points of 16th position.
On a positive note, Heckingbottom is yet to lose a home fixture in charge of Preston, avoiding defeat to Luton, Fulham (EFL Cup) and Blackburn.
As for Watford, it appeared that all momentum had been lost having previously started the campaign with five successive victories in all competitions.
One point and a 4-1 reverse at Norwich across a three-game period left Tom Cleverley scrambling for answers despite the aforementioned perfect start in August.
However, on the back of a spirited 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in the EFL Cup, Watford returned to winning ways on Saturday by edging out Sunderland by the same scoreline.
While it took a late spot kick to seal the three points, it extended Watford’s unbeaten record at Vicarage Road in all competitions to six games during 2024-25.
In sharp contrast, you have to go all the way back to the opening weekend of the season for Watford’s only away victory this campaign.
