Middlesbrough vs Watford prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 28/01/2023

Middlesbrough vs Watford prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 28/01/2023
28/01/23 - 15:00

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Middlesbrough vs Watford prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 28/01/2023

Middlesbrough - Watford

England Championship - Riverside

* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

Middlesbrough welcome Watford to the Riverside on the afternoon of January 28th for what is likely to be an intense Championship encounter.

Middlesbrough vs Watford: Our top betting predictions

Michael Carrick has had a real impact on Middlesbrough since joining the club but defeat last time out against local rivals Sunderland will have tempered expectations just a tad. Can Boro bounce back here or will the Hornets sting them for another three points? Find out with our Middlesbrough vs Watford match preview with free tips, predictions and odds mentioned along the way.

Ending level

This game is a real opportunity for both sides to lay down a marker for how serious they are about locking down a playoff spot. Despite that, we're predicting neither get the elusive three points as we back this match to end level. Middlesbrough have the marginally better form having won three and lost two of their last five compared to Watford, who have won two, drawn one and lost two across their respective previous five games. Watford though, have enjoyed the better of the head to head history in recent times with six wins and four draws from the last 10 meetings. With all that considered, a draw is the best value bet where the match result market is concerned.

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Going under 2.5 goals

Our next prediction for this match comes in the shape of a total goals tip and we are opting for under 2.5 goals. Middlesbrough have seen each of their last two games fall south of that 2.5 cut off whilst Watford have gone under the same aforementioned threshold in each of their last four matches. Four of the last five head to head clashes have also come up short of the three goal mark as well with just seven goals seen across those h2h meetings. That's a seriously low game average.

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Here are the key stats & form guide for Middlesbrough vs Watford

Head to Head

30/08/22

England Championship CHA

Watford

Middlesbrough

2

1

05/04/21

England Championship CHA

Middlesbrough

Watford

1

1

11/09/20

England Championship CHA

Watford

Middlesbrough

1

0

14/01/17

England Premier League EPL

Watford

Middlesbrough

0

0

16/10/16

England Premier League EPL

Middlesbrough

Watford

0

1

So, that gives you some insight to how the different bookmakers see the action unfolding. How though do the bookies odds translate into probabilities ahead of this game and how might that impact your view of our predictions? Let's find out.

Middlesbrough odds: 24/25 (1.96) – 51%

Draw odds: 12/5 (3.40) – 29%

Watford odds: 14/5 (3.80) – 26%

Middlesbrough may well arrive in this game as an odds on favourite but the bookies certainly aren't dismissing the prospect of an alternative match outcome. Admittedly, Watford are a reasonably long shot to win at the Riverside on Saturday but a draw isn't out of the question where the bookmaker pricing is concerned; this is supported by the double chance market that shows Middlesbrough or draw to be heavily odds on at 1/4 (1.25).

Check out the predicted lineups ahead of Middlesbrough vs Watford

Middlesbrough

After suffering a defeat last time out it's plausible that Michael Carrick makes a few adjustments, albeit only minor ones, to how he sets his side up. There will be one area of slight concern for Boro though, which is their backline. Matt Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel are both out injured and Dael Fry is missing after seeing red last time out.

Predicted lineup – Steffen, Smith, Bilongo, McNair, Giles, Howson, Hackney, Forss, Akpom, McGree, Crooks

Watford

Watford won't be shedding a tear for their hosts defensive casualties/unavailability list. The Hornets have their own issues to deal with where team selection is concerned with no fewer than eight first teamers known to be out of the running for this game. Tom Dele-Bashiru and Joao Pedro are just two of the names on that list.

Predicted lineup – Bachmann, Ferreira, Sierralta, Cathcart, Morris, Choudhury, Gaspar, Kone, Sarr, Bayo, Martins

Starting Lineups

Middlesbrough

16
Jonny Howson
gb
1
Zack Steffen
us
14
Tommy Smith
gb
8
Riley McGree
au
17
Paddy McNair
gb
29
Chuba Akpom
gb
3
Ryan Giles
gb
26
Darragh Lenihan
ie
21
Marcus Forss
fi
10
Cameron Archer
gb
30
Hayden Hackney
gb
Substitutes
15
Anfernee Dijksteel
nl
27
Marc Bola
gb
4
Alex Mowatt
gb
2
Isaiah Jones
gb
25
Matt Crooks
gb
18
Duncan Watmore
gb
23
Liam Roberts
gb

Watford

31
Francisco Sierralta
cl
15
Craig Cathcart
gb
3
Mario Gaspar
es
37
Matheus Martins
br
1
Daniel Bachmann
at
13
Joao Ferreira
pt
23
Ismaila Sarr
sn
4
Hamza Choudhury
gb
7
Keinan Davis
gb
11
Ismael Kone
ca
14
Hassane Kamara
ci
Substitutes
42
James William Morris
gb
18
Yaser Asprilla
co
21
Henrique Araujo
pt
32
Matthew Pollock
gb
35
Maduka Okoye
ng
25
Leandro Bacuna
cw
54
Tobi Ademeyo
gb

*Starting lineups are usually announced one hour prior to kick off.

Player to watch

If you're looking for a player to watch in this game then it is Premier League linked Chuba Akpom. He's been in exceptional form for Middlesbrough this season and despite not scoring in either of his last two games, he still boasts the impressive stat of having scored five goals in his last six appearances. He's on 14 for the season right now.

Check out the latest standings

Championship 22/23
# Team P W D L +/- Points
1

Burnley

37 24 11 2 45 83
2

Sheff Utd

37 21 7 9 25 70
3

Middlesbrough

38 20 7 11 27 67
4

Luton

38 17 13 8 11 64
5

Blackburn

37 19 4 14 1 61
6

Millwall

38 17 9 12 8 60
7

Norwich

38 16 9 13 11 57
8

Coventry

38 15 12 11 10 57
9

West Brom

37 15 10 12 8 55
10

Watford

38 14 13 11 5 55
11

Sunderland

38 14 11 13 7 53
12

Preston

38 14 11 13 -9 53
13

Stoke

38 13 9 16 3 48
14

Bristol City

38 12 12 14 -1 48
15

Hull

38 12 11 15 -10 47
16

Swansea

38 12 10 16 -6 46
17

Birmingham

38 12 9 17 -8 45
18

Reading

38 13 6 19 -18 45
19

QPR

38 11 9 18 -21 42
20

Rotherham

37 9 13 15 -10 40
21

Cardiff

37 10 9 18 -13 39
22

Huddersfield

38 9 9 20 -21 36
23

Blackpool

38 8 11 19 -18 35
24

Wigan

38 7 13 18 -26 31

A quickfire FAQ on Middlesbrough vs Watford

Middlesbrough vs Watford prediction

  • Where is the match being played? – The Riverside Stadium
  • Who do the bookmakers have as favourites? – Middlesbrough
  • What time does the match kick off?  3 PM GMT