Middlesbrough vs Watford Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | EFL Championship, February 15, 2025
Middlesbrough vs Watford Preview
- Tournament: EFL Championship
- Date: Saturday, February 15
- Kick-off Time: 3:00 pm GMT
- Venue: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Matchday 33 of the EFL Championship 2024/25 season will include Middlesbrough welcoming Watford at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Middlesbrough is in the ninth spot in the table at the moment with 44 points from 31 matches. Watford, on the other hand, is three places below, owing to 42 points in the bag. English referee, Adam Herczeg will take up the role and responsibility of officiating the match. The Middlesbrough vs Watford fixture promises to be an entertainment-filled encounter.
Middlesbrough’s recent form has been atrocious. In the last six games, the club has accumulated just a single victory and has suffered five defeats. During this period, Middlesbrough scored seven goals and unfortunately conceded 11. The poor run of form has resulted in Middlesbrough falling behind the promotion playoffs spot. Offensively, the team has performed quite decently so far, with 1.6 goals per match, second highest in the Championship. However, the problems lie in the defensive avenues, having conceded a staggering 1.4 goals per 90.
Watford has also endured challenging results lately. The club has managed one victory, one draw, and four defeats in the last six games with an aggregate score of 6-11. Watford holds some of the most interesting records in the Championship this season, including the most penalties won (six). Coach, Tom Cleverley needs to sort his side’s defensive woes, with no clean sheet in the last five outings. Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Giorgi Chakvetadze are the most clinical and the most creative players for Watford this term.
Middlesbrough Team News
Alex Bangura, Anfernee Djiksteel, Ben Doak, Darragh Lenihan, Jonathan Howson, Riley McGree, Seny Dieng, and Solomon Brynn are all injured and ruled out for Middlesbrough. The plethora of injury issues will force Michael Carrick to think several times before deciding his playing XI on Saturday.
Watford Team News
Watford will have to deal with the Middlesbrough threat without the valuable services of Vakoun Issouf Bayo, Caleb Wiley, Daniel Bachmann, Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia, and Pierre Dwomoh. Watford usually line in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Middlesbrough vs Watford Predicted Lineups
Middlesbrough Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Travers
Defenders: Ayling, van den Berg, Edmundson, Giles
Midfielders: Morris, Hackney, Azaz
Forwards: Illing-Junior, Burgzorg, Iheanacho
Watford Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Selvik
Defenders: Andrews, Abankwah, Pollock, Ngakia
Midfielders: Louza, Dele-Bashiru, Kayembe
Forwards: Sissoko, Chakvetadze, Vata
Middlesbrough vs Watford H2H Record
Middlesbrough and Watford have not drawn any of their last five matches against each other. Overall, in the last five head-to-head meetings, the former has won three games while Watford has won two.
| Result | Date and Competition |
| Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough | 2024, Championship |
| Middlesbrough 3-1 Watford | 2024, Championship |
| Watford 2-3 Middlesbrough | 2023, Championship |
| Middlesbrough 2-0 Watford | 2023, Championship |
| Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough | 2022, Championship |
Key Players to Watch in Middlesbrough vs Watford
Moussa Sissoko (Watford)
Moussa Sissoko will be the man to look forward to for the rest of the Watford squad when it comes to experience. Sissoko has a plethora of English football experience having played for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
This has turned out to be Moussa Sissoko’s second spell at Watford, having represented them during the 2021/22 campaign. The Frenchman is essential because of his ability to play anywhere in the midfield. Moussa Sissoko has registered just a single goal in the Championship this season and has an xG of 1.12.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough)
Kelechi Iheanacho is a household name when it comes to English football. Although his career hasn’t quite gone the way he would have hoped for, Iheanacho is still a dangerous customer on his day. The Nigerian joined Middlesbrough from Sevilla on a loan move in January and he will be looking to continue the club’s rich goalscoring form. The 28-year-old has appeared in only one match so far for Middlesbrough and has 0.9xG in his last five matches.
Middlesbrough vs Watford Prediction
The statistics, historical record, and recent form all endorse a comfortable victory for Watford. The visitors will be keen to hurt their opponents early on and try to gain a massive victory in terms of goal difference.
Predicted Score: Middlesbrough 0-3 Watford
Where to watch Middlesbrough vs Watford Live?
| Country | Where to watch |
| USA | Paramount + |
| UK | Sky Sports |
| Australia | beIN Sports |
| Canada | DAZN |
| India | FanCode |
FAQs
Q. When is Middlesbrough vs Watford?
The Middlesbrough vs Watford match will be played on 15ᵗʰ February at Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.
Q. Where to watch Middlesbrough vs Watford live for free?
Q. What is the predicted score in Middlesbrough vs Watford?
Our predicted score for the upcoming Middlesbrough vs Watford fixture is 3-0 to Watford.
Q. What is the head-to-head record for Middlesbrough vs Watford?
The last five meetings between Middlesbrough and Watford have ended in three victories for Middlesbrough and two for Watford with an aggregate score of 10-7.