Our prediction for this Championship match:
All eyes will be on Riverside Stadium when Middlesbrough and Watford face each other in the Championship derby. Following four consecutive league wins, the Boro suffered a 2-0 loss to Sunderland at the weekend, but despite the defeat they are still sitting in the playoffs berth. Michael Carrick’s men aim to return to winning ways as soon as possible, but Saturday’s game will be anything but a walk in the park for the home side. Dael Fry is banned for the match, with both Anfernee Dijksteel and Matt Clarke missing out with injuries.
Meanwhile, the Hornets head into the match following a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United. Watford and Middlesbrough seem to be evenly matched at the moment, and, taking everything into account, there is a big value in betting on draw. In their last meeting at the venue the two teams shared the spoils. The Hornets’ injury list is pretty long, including the likes of Dele-Bashiru, Joao Pedro, Kayembe, Hause, Gosling, Louza, and Cleverley.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Watford):
Watford FC is an English football club founded in 1881 and is playing its home games in the Vicarage Road which holds a capacity of 21 000 seats. Watford managed to promote to the Premier League in 2014/2015 after playing for 8 years in lower football divisions.
The club colors of Watford are yellow and red. The away kit of Watford in the current season is in blue. Watford FC is also known as The Hornets of which their fans are very proud of.
Watford FC never won any title in the clubs history. In the season 1983/1984 Watford managed to qualify for the UEFA Cup (former Europa League) where the club got knocked out in the best of 16 round after playing against Sparta Praha. Watford FC is a stereotype UK football club where working hard is more important than talent. Well known football players that ever played for Watford FC are Ben Foster, John Barnes, Ashley Young, Luke Young and David James.