Pick of the stats: Watford v Preston North End
- Published
Watford ended a run of four league games without a win (D1 L3) when they won 2-0 at Derby County on Saturday and are only outside the Championship play-off spots on goal difference.
The Hornets welcome a Preston North End side who have not won in three, including a goalless draw at Luton Town at the weekend, and are five points above the drop zone.
Watford have lost one of their past seven league games against Preston (W3 D3 L1), though that defeat was the reverse fixture in October (0-3).
Preston have failed to win any of their past seven away league games against Watford (D4 L3), since a 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road in August 2005.
Watford have won both of their home midweek league games this season, beating Bristol City 1-0 in November and Portsmouth 2-1 in December.
Preston have lost one of their seven midweek league games this season (W3 D3 L1), though that defeat (a 3-1 loss) came in the most recent game against West Brom on New Year's Day.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom has won two of his three previous EFL meetings with Watford (W2 L1), though his only defeat came at Vicarage Road in August 2022 with Sheffield United, losing 1-0 on the opening day of the 2022-23 campaign.