Watford vs Derby: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Both teams come into this game looking to build on wins from last weekend. For Watford, they are hoping to continue their perfect start, and we are backing them to do so against newly promoted Derby.

The visitors recorded an impressive win over promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough last time out, but have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine meetings with Watford. The Hornets are unbeaten in their last three against Derby. The hosts have been the first to score in four of the last five meetings, so look for them to get off to a quick start.

A high-scoring game may be on the cards, with the Over 2.5 market landing in eight of the previous nine games between the two. Watford have made a strong attacking start to the season, scoring three in both games so far, whilst Derby have scored at least once in each. We expect Watford to pick up the win at home, but both teams will get on the scoresheet – Watford 3-1 Derby

Watford welcome Derby to Vicarage Road looking to continue their impressive start to the season which has seen them record two wins from two games.

Date: 24/08/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Vicarage Road

It is very early in the season, but Watford join Burnley and Sunderland at the top as the only two sides who have won both of their games so far. The first one was a thrilling last minute victory over Millwall, whilst the second was a much more comfortable affair in which they beat Stoke 3-0 at home. Between these two games was an EFL Cup tie against MK Dons, who they thrashed 5-0. They will look to continue their hot start against newly promoted Derby.

The hosts should expect plenty of success going forward against a Derby side who have shown vulnerabilities in defence. The Rams managed to keep a clean sheet last time out in a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, but conceded four in their opener at Blackburn. This continued their struggles from pre-season in which they let in 14 goals in six games. However, they did end last season with four consecutive shutouts.

Derby’s backline will have plenty of names to keep their eyes on, including forward Edo Kayembe who has already scored three times in the league this season. Mileta Rajovic was the club’s top scorer last year and he too has opened his account with a goal in the first game.

It will be a tough test for Derby manager Paul Warne, with his side hoping to pick up a second win. They were promoted from League One after they finished in second, and will be desperate to remain in the division after spending two seasons away. Whilst they have had their issues at the back, they have shown they are capable of causing a threat up top with five goals in their first three games in all competitions.

James Collins was their top scorer with 14 goals, and the club have brought in reinforcements to bolster their attacking depth. One of those signings was 30-year old Kayden Jackson from Ipswich on a free transfer. The forward has already scored twice, the winners against Middlesbrough in the league and Chesterfield in the EFL Cup.

This will be the 45th ever meeting between these two teams. There has not been much to split the pair historically, with Derby winning 17 games to Watford’s 14 and 13 draws. However, recent fixtures have fallen in the favour of the home side, as the Hornets are unbeaten in the last three, including two wins in a row. It marked a shift in the matchup as Derby had won the previous three before that. They last faced eachother in the Championship in 2021. Watford were 2-1 winners at home, Joao Pedro and Will Hughes were the scorers. The reverse fixture earlier in the season was a 1-0 win, with Pedro netting the winner.

Watford vs Derby will not be available to watch live on TV in the UK.

Watford

Watford will hope to come into this game with a fully fit squad to choose from after coming through the first two games unscathed. Expect Vakoun Bayo to continue to lead the line.

Derby

Derby have been without new signing Corey Blackett-Taylor, and whilst it remains to be seen whether he can feature this weekend, his return is believed to be on the horizon. Jerry Yates should be available to make his debut after he served a three-game ban for a red card he received in the final game of last season for Swansea. Eiran Cashin was substituted early in the last game with a head injury, so his availability is in doubt. Kane Wilson was also withdrawn with what seemed to be a hamstring injury.

Watford:

In their last five games, Watford have won three, lost one and drawn one. It was a mixed pre-season for Watford, but they got their Championship season off to the perfect start in dramatic fashion as they beat Millwall 3-2 away from home at the death. They had taken a two-goal lead through Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze, but Duncan Watmore scored a brace to peg them back, including an 88th minute equaliser. However, Mileta Rajovic restored the visitors’ advantage just two minutes later to pick up a huge three points early.

Their campaign continued in the first round of the EFL Cup, in which they thrashed League Two side MK Dons 5-0. Mattie Pollock got the opener, before Tom Ince scored a hat-trick. Kwadwo Baah netted the fifth to complete the rout. Last weekend, they faced Stoke in their second league game, winning 3-0. Kayembe netted a brace either side of a Ryan Andrews goal.

Pre-season ended with a draw and a defeat, firstly against Wycombe, where they were defeated 3-2. Their final pre-season game was against Premier League Brentford, and they came away with a 1-1 draw. The Bees took a very early lead, but Watford reacted shortly after as Moussa Sissoko levelled the score with a deflected effort.

Derby:

In their last five games, Derby have won three and lost two. It was a mixed pre-season for the Rams, and their inconsistencies continued into the opening game of the season as they lost 4-2 away from home against Blackburn Rovers. They fell to an early deficit, but managed to find an equaliser midway through the second half. However, they could not hold on for long as two quick fire goals took the game out of reach.

They recovered well to advance to the second round of the EFL Cup with a 2-1 win over lower league Chesterfield. Their visitors took a shock early lead, but goals from Liam Thompson and Kayden Jackson turned it around to avoid the upset. Last time out, they faced Middlesbrough at home in their second game of the league season. They picked up their first win with a 1-0 result. Kayden Jackson’s 14th minute goal was the slim difference between the two sides.

Pre-season preparations ended with a win and loss, firstly a 4-3 defeat to Barnsley, before they responded to end on a high with a 2-1 victory against Real Valladolid.

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