Stoke v Watford Betting Tips – Premier League 31st January 7.45pm
Stoke head into the midweek round of Premier League matches just above the drop zone, but they could pull level on points with Watford if they can collect a home victory over the Hornets. Watford start the midweek action up in tenth but only four points above the drop zone now, so a defeat in this one and their slumping form would start to look even more alarming as they would be dragged deeper into a relegation battle.
Stoke News and Form
Stoke have collected a win in two of their last three league games so that is a positive that they can at least take forth with them into midweek. The Potters are W5 D2 L5 at home in the Premier League and they have alternated between a loss and a win in each of their last six at the Bet365 Stadium. Stoke have netted fifteen goals in their home games in the top flight this season which is not a particularly special output, but their defence has been the bigger concern for them this season.They have the worst defensive record in the premier league and that is the reason why they are having relegation concerns. Last time out they managed to give themselves a boost by collecting a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield. 75% of their home games this season in the top flight have gone over 2.5 goals and that is because of the number of goals that they have given up. Over 2.5 goals at Coral for this midweek clash is at 5/6 odds* (Betting Odds taken on January 29th, 2018 at 7:44 p.m.). The importance of a win in this one for Stoke can’t be underestimated as it would leave them level on points with Watford, boosting their own chances of staying up.
Watford News and Form
Watford are still struggling badly and they lost their last league game at Leicester and the suffered an FA Cup defeat down at Southampton last weekend. So things aren’t looking too bright for them. They have brought in Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona on loan to help out. Watford have gone W1 D1 L7 in their last nine league games and have won just one of their last eleven played now. If you look specifically at their away from they are on a five-match losing streak away from Vicarage Road and they have scored in just two of those five games. Looking back further at their away form Watford are W1 L7 in their last eight away from Vicarage Road. The Hornets have opened the scoring in just four of their road games so far this term and they have conceded almost two-thirds of their away goals in the second half of matches. Watford’s fall has been so severe that now only Stoke have conceded more goals than they have done this season and only Newcastle and Swansea have worse away records than Watford do. New boss Javi Gracia has a real taks on his hands just to stop the rot at the moment.
Stoke v Watford Head to Head
Watford suffered a 1-0 defeat at home against Stoke earlier in the season, despite having the better of the match. That was their fourth straight loss to the Hornets and so that is working against them as they go into this fixture. However, Watford have gone W3 D1 L1 in their last five visits to Stoke which is a big positive. Overall in the head to head things are almost even with Stoke 15-14 up with six drawn matches.
Stoke v Watford Betting Odds*
Stoke 6/5, Watford 9/3, Draw 12/5* (Betting Odds taken on January 29th, 2018 at 7:44 p.m.)
Stoke v Watford Predictions
Stoke to win: Watford just are not there at the moment and the change of manager hasn’t changed anything at the moment. Neither of these looks overly convincing at all, however, with Stoke having won two of their last three league games at home, they have to be backed to collect the three points on offer.
