Preview: Watford vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Watford welcome Preston North End to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their Championship unbeaten streak to five matches.

Meanwhile, the visitors make the trip to Hertfordshire sitting in 15th position after losing four of their last half-a-dozen fixtures.

Match preview

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Given the quality which he has at his disposal, Watford boss Vladimir Ivic has come in for criticism for the level of performances produced by his squad this season.

However, helped by a recent four-match unbeaten streak, Watford still sit in fifth place, a position which most fans would have taken after the upheaval earlier this year.

Ivic will naturally want to see more goals from his team over the coming weeks, but there could be few complaints with a hard-earned point coming from a goalless draw at Bristol City.

Watford managed to shut out a team which had won their previous three matches, and it was a further sign that the Serbian is prepared to put results over style in order to gain promotion.

That said, Watford return to action at their home ground having recorded consecutive 3-2 victories over Stoke City and Coventry City, leaving fans to anticipate a similar attack-minded showing at the weekend.

Preston supporters will be of the same opinion with their 3-0 win at then-leaders Reading being followed by below-par showings in their following three matches.

While that run included a 1-0 success over lowly Sheffield Wednesday, Alex Neil's side continue to struggle for consistency on the back of eye-catching results.

That has left Preston an equal distance between the playoffs and the relegation zone, increasing concern that a season in mid-table obscurity is on the horizon.

On a positive side, their current standing gives Neil some freedom to throw caution to the wind on Saturday, and Watford will be wary that Preston have scored almost half of their goals this season at Reading and Brentford.

Watford Championship form: DLWWDD

Preston North End Championship form: LLWLWL

Team News

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Despite his recent appearances from the substitutes' bench, Troy Deeney is unlikely to be recalled to the starting lineup.

Barring any late fitness issues, Ivic could go with the same XI which started the fixture at Ashton Gate.

Preston boss Neil will be forced into at least one alteration after Joe Rafferty was red carded during the defeat against Blackburn.

With Alan Browne also serving a ban and Darnell Fisher facing the prospect of retrospective punishment, youngster Lewis Coulton could feature at left-back.

Tom Bayliss may make his first start of the season in centre midfield, while Jayden Stockley should return in attack at the expense of Emil Riis Jakobsen.

Watford possible starting lineup: Foster; Ngakia, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenia; Sarr, Chalobah, Garner, Quina; Gray, Pedro

Preston North End possible starting lineup: Rudd; Storey, Bauer, Huntington, Coulton; Ledson, Bayliss; Barkhuizen, Johnson, Sinclair; Stockley

We say: Watford 2-1 Preston North End

After recording two low-scoring draws on the road, Ivic will show greater attacking urgency in this contest. While little may separate the teams during the opening hour, we are backing Watford's extra quality to shine through during the latter stages.

Top betting tip