Watford vs Burnley prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-08-11 19:00.
While Ismaïla Sarr may have already stolen the Goal of the Season crown against West Brom following an incredible strike from inside his own half, it wasn’t enough to see Watford steal all three points and the Hornets were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. Sarr’s missed penalty cost Watford dearly in that match, though boss Rob Edwards was defiant in his message that his side will be stronger come Friday’s visit of Burnley.
History would certainly indicate Edwards’ side will need to be at their best to beat a Burnley side who have left Vicarage Road victorious on three of their last four visits (D1). Those games were in the Premier League (PL) though, and Watford would like to think they are a different animal at home in the second-tier, with ten successive home league wins at Championship level, conceding just one goal along the way!
Relegated from last season’s PL alongside Watford, Burnley boast an identical league start to Watford (W1, D1), with Saturday’s draw against Luton (1-1) coming despite boasting 71% possession. Vincent Kompany’s ball dominating philosophy is new to the Clarets and despite that wealth of possession, Burnley only mustered a single shot-on-target in that game which led to the equaliser.
This game being broadcast live on TV may strangely serve Kompany’s side well given you’d have to go back to March 2014 for the last time Burnley lost a televised Championship fixture (W12, D6), winning each of the five Friday night fixtures in that time! Not only that, Kompany may also choose to draw inspiration from his 100% H2H record against Watford in his playing days (W7).
Players to watch: Watford’s Sarr likes to start fast, with his last four Championship goals coming inside 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Josh Brownhill opened his Burnley account for the season last time out, and scored a dramatic late winner the last time these sides met.
Hot streak: Watford have won six-straight Championship games held on a Friday.