Preview: Stoke City vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Stoke City play host to Watford on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from losing their undefeated start to the season last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Hornets, sitting in third position in the table, make the trip to the bet365 Stadium as the only team in the Championship yet to concede a goal.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having defeated Rotherham United and West Bromwich Albion on the opening weekend of the season and in the EFL Cup respectively, Alex Neil would have been optimistic of halting the form of Ipswich Town last weekend.

Instead, Stoke succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Portman Road, with Neil feeling the need to make a tactical change shortly after the half-hour mark having been concerned that the Tractor Boys could get away from them.

Losing relatively tamely in East Anglia threatens to put a dampener on Stoke's opening results, yet they remain in the mid-table spots having lost away to the early league leaders.

In the preceding games at their home ground, they netted six times, although the constant incomings and outgoings at the club probably need to end before they can really find their groove.

Former Aston Villa frontman Wesley Moraes has hinted that he could prove to be an important member of this squad given the physical presence that he offered in the final 56 minutes at Ipswich.

© Reuters

Despite Stoke showcasing their attacking threat earlier in the season, they now face opponents who are coming off the back of two shutouts in the second tier.

Recently-appointed head coach Valerien Ismael would have been disappointed with the goalless draw posted against League One champions Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

Nevertheless, it kept things ticking over in the right direction during the early stages of the season when there have been mass arrivals and departures.

Only being regarded as a dark horse for promotion arguably suits Ismael and his style of play, but he will want to get as many early points in the bag as possible given the usual longevity of head coaches at Vicarage Road.

Team News

© Reuters

Having been substituted during the first half at Portman Road, Chiquinho is in line to be replaced by Wesley for this fixture.

Barring any injury issues, that could prove to be the only change with Lewis Baker still out with a knee injury and Tyrese Campbell having been carrying a thigh issue.

Ismael opted to make a quartet of changes before the hour mark against Plymouth, an indication that he was disappointed with Watford's performance.

Jake Livermore, Ismael Kone, Yaser Asprilla and Giorgi Chakvetadze will all feel that they are in contention for a starting role.

The Watford backline will almost certainly stay the same, though, as they bid to keep another clean sheet.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Travers; Hoever, Rose, Wilmot, Stevens; Pearson, Laurent; Mmaee, Johnson, Vidigal; Wesley

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Andrews, Porteous, Hoedt, Morris; Louza, Sierralta, Kone; Martins, Bayo, Chakvetadze

We say: Stoke City 1-1 Watford

This could emerge as one of the best fixtures of the weekend with both teams having put together squads capable of challenging for promotion. We can only predict a draw between two well-match sides, Stoke potentially being content if they can avoid a second defeat in succession.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.