Vicarage Road
Thursday, 26 December 2024, 18:00
Watford hope to continue their great run at home when they welcome Portsmouth to the Vicarage Road on Thursday. The hosts are unbeaten at home this season. Can Portsmouth break that record, or will the run continue? Below, I have the team news, possible starting 11, some interesting facts, expert betting tips, and odds.
Claim Your Welcome Bonus!Watford
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Watford suffered a 2-1 loss to Burney in their last game. The loss ended their 6-game unbeaten run. However, they have one of the best home records this season, remaining unbeaten in front of their home fans with 26 points out of a maximum of 30 this season. They remain unbeaten in their last 13 home games in all competitions extending beyond this season.
The Hornets sit 8th on the table with 34 points in 21 games, scoring 30 goals and conceding 28. However, due to injuries, Tom Dele-Bashiru and Kevin Keben will miss this game. Vakoun Issouf Bayo will be a player to watch in this game, having scored nine goals this season. Only two players have scored more than him in the Championship.
Portsmouth
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Portsmouth recorded a 4-1 win over Coventry in their last game. 26-year-old English forward Callum Lang scored all four goals in the game. Pompey have been unbeaten in five of their previous six games but have been winless in the last five games on the road. They sit 20th on the table with 20 points in 20 games, scoring 25 goals and conceding 35.
Ibane Bowat is ruled out for the season due to a patellar tendon rupture. Jordan Williams, Conor Shaughnessy, Jacob Farrell, Kusini Yengi, Mark O’Mahony, and Will Norris are also out due to injuries.
Possible Starting 11
Watford — Daniel Bachmann, Jeremy Ngakia, Ryan Porteous, Mattie Pollock, Yasser Larouci, Pierre Dwomoh, Kwadwo Baah, Moussa Sissoko, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Rocco Vata, Vakoun Issouf Bayo.
Portsmouth — Nicolas Schmid, Zak Swanson, Marlon Pack, Ryley Towler, Connor Ogilvie, Andre Dozzell, Freddie Potts, Matt Ritchie, Callum Lang, Joshua Murphy, Colby Bishop.
Interesting Facts
- Watford are unbeaten in all (12) home games across all competitions this season.
- Watford have kept four clean sheets in their last five games.
- Portsmouth have won one of their 10 away games this season.
- The last game between Watford and Portsmouth ended 2-0 in favour of Portsmouth back in January 2012.
- Portsmouth are unbeaten in five of their last six games.
History of Head-to-Heads
Championship 2025/2026 
Watford
Championship 2024/2025
Watford
Championship 2024/2025
Portsmouth
Championship 2011/2012
Watford
Championship 2011/2012
Portsmouth
Watford Latest Games
Watford 
Watford
Preston North End
Watford
Bristol City
Watford
Middlesbrough
Watford
West Bromwich Albion
Watford
Oxford
Portsmouth Latest Games
Portsmouth
Bristol City
Portsmouth
Millwall
Portsmouth
Wrexham
Portsmouth
Stoke City
Coventry
Portsmouth
Middlesbrough
Expert Betting Tips
Since the beginning of this season, Vicarage Road has been a great ground for Watford. They remain one of the teams in the league without a defeat at home, and I expect them to get a win here easily. Moreover, Portsmouth have only won once in their 10 away games this season. Also, the host’s greatest strength is in their defense, as they have kept four clean sheets in their last five games, so they should also keep another clean sheet in this game.
- W1 for 1.81 odds
- Over 2.5 for 1.75 odds
- BTTS-NO for 2.00 odds
Other predictions
