Finished
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Middlesbrough - Watford
England Championship - Riverside
Prediction 1
Draw
12/5 (3.40)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Under 2.5 goals
3/4 (1.75)
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Odds from
* 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.
Contents
- 1 Middlesbrough vs Watford: Our top betting predictions
- 2 Here are the key stats & form guide for Middlesbrough vs Watford
- 3 Check out the predicted lineups ahead of Middlesbrough vs Watford
- 4 Starting Lineups
- 5 Player to watch
- 6 Check out the latest standings
- 7 A quickfire FAQ on Middlesbrough vs Watford
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.
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.
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
Watford
*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
| # | 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
- 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
