Stoke v Watford free betting tips - January 22, 19:45
Stoke and Watford lock horns for a televised Friday night fixture from the Championship.
“Considering Watford have scored only five away goals and those 11 road trips producing an average of just 1.18 goals – 10 seeing Under 2.5 Goals land – it makes sense to oppose a high-scoring showdown”
Under 2.5 @1.57
Stoke Form
Nick Powell’s header salvaged play-off-chasing Stoke a precious point from an enthralling 3-3 draw at lowly Rotherham on Tuesday night at the New York Stadium. In a ding-dong battle, Michael O’Neill’s men twice saw their advantage wiped out with the visitors then falling behind midway through the second-half before Powell’s timely intervention.
An unfortunate Angus MacDonald own goal had given the Potters an early lead and a dull game burst into life in a frantic second period with Danny Batth on-hand to score Stoke’s second. A strong wind and damp conditions contributed to a captivating contest full of excitement, mistakes and chances, out of kilter with the Potters’ previous encounters.
Both sides could have taken all three points in a breathless finale but Stoke had to settle for a sixth stalemate in eight. Post-match, O’Neill said: “Each of the goals we lost were really poor. Ten draws is too many and we felt in a number of those games we’ve given up the opportunity to win. We are on a run at the minute of too many draws but we are trying to get out of it.”
Watford Form
Troy Deeney’s first-half penalty was enough for Watford to beat Barnsley and move up to third in the Championship. Referee Tim Robinson pointed to the spot when Deeney prodded the ball on to the raised arm of Tykes defender Callum Brittain and though keeper Jack Walton got a strong hand to the powerful spot kick he could not prevent it going in.
The Hornets had a second goal disallowed for offside when the recalled Andre Gray tucked away a rebound after Will Hughes hit the post from 25 yards, but in truth, the visitors looked the better side for periods without creating clear-cut chances. The closest Barnsley came to an equaliser was when Francisco Sierralta almost put through his own net.
Xisco Munoz’s outfit have now won all three games at Vicarage Road since he took charge and the Spaniard was pleased with his side’s display, saying: “I’m very happy because in front of us we had a difficult team. For me it was a good performance.” Ben Foster remains absent, whilst Christian Kabasele and Isaac Success are closing in on first-team returns.
Stoke v Watford betting tip
Stoke’s 10 matches preceding their midweek thriller at Rotherham produced only 11 goals in total and although the first half at the New York Stadium saw two goals, there was only one shot on target and very little of note in between. That suggests the second period on Tuesday evening was an anomaly and the Potters will return to their dogged ways here.
The hosts have kept 12 clean sheets this term with Under 2.5 Goals 1.59 also proving profitable in 17/25 (68%) fixtures. Considering Watford have scored only five away goals and those 11 road trips producing an average of just 1.18 goals – 10 seeing Under 2.5 Goals land – it makes sense to oppose a high-scoring showdown in Staffordshire.
PREDICTION
Under 2.5
ODD: 1.57
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