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Football

Match Preview: Middlesbrough v Watford

Middlesbrough visits the Hornets this weekend at the Riverside Stadium, where they are sixth in the Sky Bet Championship, two points behind Slaven Bili’s men.

Following his October hiring, Head Coach Michael Carrick led a run of eight victories in his first 12 games in charge, but Boro were handed a 2-0 setback at local rivals Sunderland last time out and will be anxious to get their promotion race back on track today.

Boro striker Chuba Akpom currently leads the Championship with 13 goals in 2022/23.

The Golden Boys have won only one of their previous 12 away league games in the top-flight and second tier, and they have only lost one of their past six away games in the Championship.
At the Riverside Stadium, Boro has won all three of their most recent league contests, matching their total from the first ten games of the 2022–23 season. Including each of their previous seven goals in the Championship since Joao Pedro’s 15th-minute penalty against Reading in November, 55% of Watford’s goals have come after halftime this season.

Keinan Davis, who hasn’t played since Norwich City’s 1-0 victory at the beginning of January, is anticipated to play against Middlesbrough, according to head coach Slaven Bili, who made the announcement at the pre-game news conference.

Following his loan transfer from Benfica, new arrival Henrique Arajo may make his Hornets debut in the North-East.

Middlesbrough will be without banned central defender Dael Fry, and injured teammates Matt Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel will also miss the game.

Prior to Saturday’s (January 28) trip to Middlesbrough, head coach Slaven Bili is encouraged by his team’s expanded striker options, with both Keinan Davis and recently signed Henrique Arajo expected to play.

Davis, who joined the Hornets from Aston Villa in the summer and has four goals for them, hasn’t played since the Hornets’ triumph against Norwich City at the turn of the 2023 season because of a hamstring injury and subsequently an illness.

The addition of Arajo to the offensive ranks, who has already begun exercising with his new teammates in anticipation of a probable debut at the Riverside Stadium, complements the boost provided by his return.

Slaven Bilić, Watford Head Coach said: “They’re a very good team. Since Carrick has come in they’ve shown how good they are and the quality they possess, and we go there now with them just two points behind us in the table.

“The last game was a derby game, and they got a red card so I think it was probably just a one-off. They’ll be looking to get back on track, and with Carrick in charge – and all the experience and know-how he’s got – it’s going to be hard.

“But I think we’re in a good moment ourselves. We’ve shown over the last few weeks that without loads of players, and our full quality, that we can play good games and get points, and I’m hopeful that will be the case again this weekend.”

Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough Head Coach stated: “It’s going to be a tough game, and it’s a challenge for us. They’ve got real strengths in certain areas and they’re a good team.

“The position of the teams in the league is irrelevant really, in terms of how we prepare – it’s just another game for us. The boys have been good this week in training, and we’re in a good frame of mind.”

Last Six Match Results:

August 2022: Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough [Championship]
April 2021: Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford [Championship]
September 2020: Watford 1-0 Middlesbrough [Championship]
January 2017: Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough [Premier League]
October 2016: Middlesbrough 0-1 Watford [Premier League]
April 2015: Watford 2-0 Middlesbrough [Championship]

Middlesbrough and Watford’s past four Football League matches in the North-East have resulted in three draws, matching the number in the first 15 such games.

Since a 2-1 away victory in October 2012, Middlesbrough has gone winless in ten league meetings against Watford.

Since losing 1-0 in November 2011, Watford has won each of their previous five away league games against Middlesbrough.

The Hornets’ current joint-longest streak against an opponent in the EFL is their 10-game undefeated run against Middlesbrough in the Football League.

Anyone who was present for the final meeting between the two sides in August will never forget how Vakoun Bayo’s injury-time goal gave Watford a thrilling 2-1 victory on the 100th anniversary of their first game at Vicarage Road.

Rodrigo Muniz put an end to the celebrations at home when he headed Boro ahead with less than five minutes remaining, but Ismael Sarr calmly scored his second goal of the year to level the score before Bayo’s winning goal.

Kajal S

Kajal S

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