Watford vs Ipswich Prediction – Orient Searching For Winning Ways After Recent Struggles

After coming so close and failing at the final hurdle last year, it was always going to be difficult for Watford to emulate last season’s successes. Having lost several of their key players thanks to the ownership structure’s reliance on loans, the team have no enjoyed the same level of success which saw them come so close last year. However, it was only in recent weeks that the dream of promotion seems to have finally slipped away. Visiting Vicarage Road, however, are a team who still maintain some hope of reaching sixth place. Ipswich find themselves equal on points with sixth placed Reading and a chance to climb a little higher might go right down to the wire in the closing weeks of the season.

In recent weeks, Watford have remained unbeaten but have experienced too many draws. The failure to convert these stalemates into winning positions might be the key to their failing to live up to last season’s exalted standards. With a preference for filling the midfield and playing three at the back, finding that spark of creativity might prove to be a little difficult for a team who can no longer rely on Matěj Vydra to provide that opening. With the team unbeaten in their last five matches, however, the pride still remains even if the playoffs do not.

Ipswich find themselves just ahead. Level on goal difference, the team have strung together two wins against lower league opposition and it could well prove to be the platform they need in order to overcome Reading and to make that playoff spot their own. Despite wins over Brighton and Derby, there is still a question over the team’s ability to beat those around them and they surely need to capitalise on the lack of motivation in the Watford team if they are to climb out of the division.

Team News

Watford should be able to call on the services of recently signed ex-Liverpool Alberto Reira at wing back, with the player’s fitness hopefully up to scratch. McGugan, Abdi and Tozser are expected to line up in the midfield, hopefully being able to supply the strike partnership of Deeney and Anya with enough chances.

The young Jonny Williams, on loan from Crystal Palace will be hoping to replicate the form of last season which saw his parent club promoted. The Welshman will play at the centre of midfield, flanked by Skuse and Hyam, while drifting up to play off the lone striker Murphy. With few injury concerns following the match against Doncaster, the manager would rather the line up stay as fixed as possible for the run in.

Watford

P41 W15 D15 L12

DWDWD

Predicted Line-Up (3-5-2): Almunia; Hoban, Angella, Ekstrand; Faraoni, Abdi, McGugan, Tozser, Riera; Deeney, Anya

Ipswich

P42 W17 D13 L12

WDLWW

Predicted Line-Up (4-5-1): Gerken; Chambers, Berra, Smith, Mings; Anderson, Skuse, Williams, Hyam, Hunt; Murphy

Prediction: Watford 1 – 2 Ipswich

With Ipswich still chasing promotion, the chance to come up against the under motivated Watford might be a blessing.