Watford vs Stoke City Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | EFL Championship 2024-25

In form Hornets to lock horns with resilient Potters at home.

Watford have emphatically begun the new season after netting eight goals from the opening two matches. The Hornets started the EFL Championship 2024-25 season with a thrilling 3-2 win over Millwall to make a positive start to the season.

They followed this with a dominating performance against MK Dons. There they netted five goals thanks to a hattrick from Thomas Ince to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup. Tom Cleverly has done a wonderful job of letting the team play some brilliant football this season.

Stoke City have also started the new season impressively after gathering two wins from the opening two matches. The Potters began the 2024-25 season with a 1-0 victory over Coventry City on the opening weekend. Next up for them was Carlisle United in the first round of the Carabao Cup whom they defeated comfortably by a 2-0 score-line.

Steven Schumacher’s side have kept two clean sheets in the opening matches showing their resilient display at the back. However, the Potters will have to improve their attacking play after failing to create a fair amount of chances in the opening two matches. 

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 17 August 2024 at 3:00 PM UK, 7:30 PM IST

Location: Vicarage Road

Form:

⁠Watford (in all competitions): W-L-D-W-W

Stoke City (in all competitions): L-W-L-W-W

Players to Watch

Thomas Ince (Watford)

Thomas Ince has started the 2024-25 season for Watford in impressive form. He netted a hat trick in the first round of the Carabao Cup tie clash against MK Dons. Ince was the star of the show for the team as he scored three goals while also providing an assist to cap off a brilliant day for him.

At 32 years old, he brings a lot of experience to the side after playing at the top flight for more than 13 seasons. It shows the perseverance and hard work he brings to the team, as playing for so many years requires a lot of hard work. 

Lewis Baker (Stoke City)

The former Chelsea youth academy product has finally found a place where he has the platform to showcase his potential. Once dubbed as the next big thing to emerge from the Chelsea academy, things have not gone well for him after a series of unsuccessful loans. But now he is fit and firing for his new club after enjoying a good campaign last term. Baker started the new season brilliantly to net the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Coventry in the opening weekend. 

Match Facts

• Watford secured a 5-0 win over MK Dons in their last match
• Stoke City defeated Carlisle United by 2-0 in their last match
• Watford are unbeaten in their last six home games

⁠Watford vs Stoke City: Betting tips and odds

• Tip 1: Both teams to score in this game– 4/5 with bet365
• Tip 2: Watford to win this game – 8/5 with sky bet
• Tip 3: Match to end with total goals under 3.5 – 2/7 with Betfair

Injury & Team News

There are no injury concerns in the Watford camp for this match. They are going to make some changes for this match recalling first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Buchanan back in the starting eleven. 

Meanwhile, the Potters will miss Michael Rose for this match after suffering a sprained ankle. Sam Gallagher also remains out for the visitors after suffering a calf injury. 

Head to Head

Total Matches – 13

⁠Watford – 5

Stoke City– 6

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineup

⁠Watford predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Bachmann (GK); Sierralta, Porteous, Pollock; Ngakia, Dele-Bashiru, Kayembe, Andrews; Sissoko, Chakvetadze, Ince

Stoke City predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Johansson (GK); Tchamadeu; Wilmot, Gibson, Bocat; Thompson, Baker, Burger; Gooch, Manhoef, Tezgel

Match Prediction for ⁠Watford vs Stoke City

Watford have emphatically opened the new season scoring eight goals in the first two matches. They are now set to face the Potters who are yet to concede a goal from the starting matches. It will be an interesting battle between two of the in-form sides. However, we expect the home team to emerge victorious in this match. 

Prediction: ⁠Watford 2-1 Stoke City

Telecast for ⁠Watford vs Stoke City

India –  FanCode

UK – Sky Sports Football

US –  CBS Sports

Nigeria – N/A

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