please log in to view this image STOKE CITY v WATFORD please log in to view this image Friday 22nd January 2021 Bet 365 Stadium Kick Off 1945 GMT please log in to view this image While Stoke have also made a habit of keeping things tight for much of the season, there are signs that Michael O'Neill's side have lost their way in the second tier. A back-and-forth 3-3 draw at Rotherham United earlier this week means that Stoke have now failed to win a game in any competition for more than a month. As well as exits from the EFL Cup and FA Cup, five fixtures without success in the second tier have left the team at risk of being pulled into mid-table. please log in to view this image Newly-appointed Watford boss Xisco has picked up where Vladimir Ivic left off, picking up victories by narrow margins on a regular basis. However, while the club's supporters would prefer to be winning games far more comfortably, the change in mood since the Spaniard's arrival is what is crucial to Watford's promotion chances. Ivic deserves credit for helping Watford get back up and running after relegation from the Premier League, but there are early signs that Xisco has the potential to secure an immediate return to the top flight. Nine points from four Championship games, a schedule which has included contests versus the top two, has lifted the club to within three points of the automatic promotion places. Tuesday's 1-0 win over Barnsley came courtesy of a Troy Deeney penalty, but Xisco will take confidence from his side having now gone 265 minutes without conceding a goal in all competitions. Stoke City Championship form: WDDLDD Watford Championship form: DLWLWW The score in the fixture at the Vic in case you have forgotten what it was like last November. FULL TIME: WATFORD 3 - 2 STOKE ENJOY THE GAME WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD
Cheers OFH. We might not get a better chance to get an away win and make it three wins on the bounce for the first time this season. COYH
Yes we 'should' win this.... and we need to if we are going to get into autmotaic promotion places....
Some expert - "Xisco Munoz's side have only won twice on the road all season. " Xisco Munoz's side have only played twice on the road - and one of those was a cup game. Prior to those it was Ivic's side... https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.../pundit-prediction-stoke-city-watford-4915580
Looks like it’s the radio or a stream for me as it’s not on the Hive . https://www.watfordfc.com/news/how-to-follow-stoke-city-v-watford
Our match officials tonight. Referee: David Webb Assistants: Ian Cooper, Mark Russell Fourth Official: Leigh Doughty
The disparity in our home and away firm is a real mystery for me. In a season where there's been almost no fans in the stands, you would think that would remove much of the impact of playing at home or away: the referee isn't going to be influenced by a noisy set of home fans, the players aren't going to be intimidated playing away, and the players aren't going to be so encouraged when playing at home. It's just baffling why we've been so poor away from home. My suspicion is it's because Ivic was setting us up very conservatively when playing away, despite the lack of fans radically changing the dynamic of playing away this season. I'm hoping this changes under Xisco. I know he's lost his first two away fixtures, but they were both tough games.
This is not a must win game but is very much a need to win game Two tough but winnable away games and min of 4 points would put us back in the mix for automatic promotion Thee of our top six rivals have home games in the cup, wins for them could takes their eyes of the Championship and get wrapped up in cup glory Fingers, toes and everything else crossed for tonight and tomorrow
It could be, but Deeney has been dropping a bit deeper and creating chances rather than being an out and out striker.
We don't want Hughes out wide though really? Thought it might be The back 4 Chalobah Cleverley Hughes Sarr Deeney Pedro
Stoke: Bursik, Collins, Souttar, Chester, Norrington-Davies, Mikel, Allen, Clucas, Clarke, McClean, Powell. Subs: Gunn, Batth, Vokes, Smith, Brown, Fletcher, Cousins, Thompson, Matondo.
I think it's a diamond midfield formation and 1 up front. With Sema out I expected Zinckernagel from the start but as it is I see Chalobah sitting in with Hughes and Cleverley together then Sarr & Pedro wide and Deeney up top by himself with those 2 breaking fast to get up. If we get good ball then Pedro will move further up.
Commentry on Talk Sport 2 radio pop out if anyone fancies it - https://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/talksport2.html?popup=1 What's up with Sema?
Evening all, another 2 hours to stress to enjoy. Have this stream up, it's spooling a bit so others welcome http://www.mamahd.live/link.php?asa...idget.com/freelivematch/8551422954462140.html Enjoy the game all.
