Watford vs Middlesbrough: Prediction & Match Preview
The new football season in England is finally here! The Championship campaign is starting on Friday night at Vicarage Road where wounded Watford FC welcomes Middlesbrough.
Watford begin life back in the Championship with an opening-day fixture against Middlesbrough on Friday evening.
With Nigel Pearson having been removed from his position at the end of last season, it was inevitable that Watford would bring in a new man in the dugout ahead of what feels like a new era for the club.
Reason for Watford vs. Middlesbrough predictions:
- Middlesbrough scored in each of their last six away league games.
- Four of Watford’s final five league games last season saw both teams score.
- Watford have won each of their last three season openers in the Championship.
- Middlesbrough lost 10 of 12 trips to last season’s top six.
Watford back to the top flight, if the club can give him that much time. He comes here with a big reputation after success in Greece and Israel.
Middlesbrough start their first full season under Neil Warnock, a man who has eight EFL promotions under his belt. A ninth would be a record, something which many refuse to put past Warnock.
Watford and Middlesbrough haven’t actually played each other on that many occasions considering they’ve both been in and around the top flight for long periods.
Watford are unbeaten in seven league matches against Middlesbrough and they’ll be out to continue that form this weekend.
Middlesbrough have won just one of their last 11 games on the opening matchday of a league season, and are winless in five MD1 fixtures.
While Boro have gotten a competitive 90 minutes under their belt, they were far from convincing against lower-league opponents. With that in mind, we are backing the home side to get off to a winning start.
Our prediction: Over 0.5 (First Half Goals) @ 1.5
