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Burnley logo
Championship | Gameweek 22
Dec 21, 2024 at 3pm UK
Turf Moor
Watford logo

Burnley
vs.
Watford

Preview: Burnley vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Burnley and Watford, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two in-form sides will face off when Burnley welcome Watford to Turf Moor for Saturday's Championship contest.

The hosts have avoided defeat in each of their last eight matches, while the visitors have put together a six-game unbeaten run.


Match preview

Burnley head coach Scott Parker on November 30, 2024© Imago

Burnley are looking to secure an immediate return to the Premier League after suffering relegation under Vincent Kompany last season.

Scott Parker, who replaced Kompany in the summer, has made his Burnley side a tough team to beat, demonstrated by the fact that they have lost just two of their 21 games in the second tier (W11, D8).

Burnley's success has been built upon a strong backline which has conceded just eight league goals this season, leaving them with the best defensive record in the division.

They conceded one of those eight goals in their recent away outing against Norwich City, before Zian Flemming and Josh Brownhill grabbed a goal apiece to return Burnley to winning ways following back-to-back draws.

The 2-1 victory extended Burnley's unbeaten run to eight matches and moved the third-placed side to within a point of Leeds United in second position.

Burnley will now look to maintain their unbeaten home in Saturday's tricky clash against Watford, but while they are yet to lose at Turf Moor this season, they have been frustrated by five draws in their 10 home encounters.

Watford manager Tom Cleverley on September 24, 2024© Imago

After finishing in 11th and 15th in the last two seasons, Watford are hoping to secure a playoff place in the current campaign, as they look to return to the top flight for the first time since 2021-22.

Tom Cleverley's side are currently enjoying a fine run of form, having won three and drawn three of their last six matches since they lost 1-0 to Swansea City on November 5.

They kicked off that run with home wins against Oxford United and Bristol City, on either side of an away draw against Plymouth Argyle, before they had to settle for a couple more draws against QPR and Watford.

Cleverley would have been delighted to see his side return to winning ways in their recent home clash against West Bromwich Albion, with Vakoun Issouf Bayo netting a brace in a 2-1 victory.

That result maintained Watford's unbeaten record at Vicarage Road this season, having now won eight and drawn two of their 10 home league games, leaving them with the third-best home record in the second tier.

The Hornets, who are sitting outside the top six on goal difference, will be hoping to carry some of that onto their travels after winning just two of their 10 away Championship matches this season (D2, L6).

They will have their work cut out to claim a third away victory on Saturday, especially as they have failed to win any of their last three games against Burnley since they recorded a 3-1 victory in August 2018.

Burnley Championship form:

Watford Championship form:


Team News

Burnley's Lyle Foster pictured on August 31, 2024© Imago

The hosts remain without the services of Aaron Ramsey, Manuel Benson and Jordan Beyer due to their respective injury issues.

Lyle Foster is back on the grass following a spell on the sidelines, but the striker will not be ready to feature in Saturday's squad.

Defender Maxime Esteve and attacker Jeremy Sarmiento will have to be assessed after they were forced off in the win over Norwich.

As for the visitors, they will travel to Turf Moor without long-term absentees Kevin Keben and Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Angelo Ogbonna has been out of action since October due to a hamstring problem, but the former West Ham United defender could return to the squad for Saturday's away trip.

Bayo will continue to lead the line for the Hornets, with the striker looking to add to his nine-goal tally for the season.


Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Humphreys, Egan-Riley, Egan, Pires; Cullen, Brownhill; Koleosho, Laurent, Anthony; Rodriguez

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Porteous, Pollock, Morris; Ngakia, Sissoko, Louza, Vata; Baah, Chakvetadze, Bayo


SM words green background

We say: Burnley 1-1 Watford

While Burnley are yet to taste defeat at Turf Moor this season, they have had to settle for draws in five of their 10 home league games, and we think the promotion hopefuls may have to be content with a share of the spoils when they face a Watford side that are unbeaten in six games.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Ben Sully

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Data Failed

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Burnley and Watford?

Burnley
Draw
Watford
Burnley
62.5%
Draw
12.5%
Watford
25.0%
8
Collect / Create New Data
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Watford manager Tom Cleverley pictured on September 1, 2024
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


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