Match Pack: Preston North End v Watford

• Preston North End v Watford
• Sky Bet Championship
• Deepdale
• Saturday December 16, 3pm KO
• Yellow and black home kit

• Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
• Assistant Referees: Mark Stevens and Jonathan Hunt
• Fourth Official: David Webb

Having finished 12th in the Sky Bet Championship last term, Preston North End burst out of the blocks in 2023/24, with an eight-game unbeaten start - that included six wins on the trot - firing them to the summit of the table in the season’s early stages.

A seven-match winless streak then duly followed, and since then the Lilywhites have struggled to regain a real run of consistency.

Boss Ryan Lowe did guide his charges to a first victory in five away at Huddersfield Town in midweek though (3-1), leaving them eighth - and four points ahead of Watford - with 21 matches played.

• Both of the teams’ meetings last season ended goalless. The only time Watford have failed to score in three successive Football League games against Preston was their first three such fixtures against the Lilywhites (D1 L2).

• Preston have failed to score in each of their last three league games against Watford; they haven’t gone four successive games without scoring against a side in the Football League since July 2020 (run of six against Derby).

• The Hornets have only lost one of their last four away league games (W2 D1), and could win successive league matches on the road for the first time since November 2022.

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Preston North End In Numbers .

Watford boss Valérien Ismaël reported in his pre-match press conference that there were no fresh injury concerns following Tuesday night’s narrow defeat at home to Ipswich Town.

Hosts Preston are expecting to be able to call upon Calvin Ramsay, who has missed their two previous matches through illness. Milutin Osmajić is a doubt though, and long-term absentee Emil Riis is set to miss out.

Valérien Ismaël, Watford Head Coach:

“We performed well on Tuesday, so the mentality within the squad is good. It’s clear that on one hand we were disappointed, but on the other we are full of belief, and looking ahead to the games coming up. We know what we need to do, and we’re ready to go again.

“Preston are good side in the Championship, so it’s going to be another tough game. They have a good manager, a good team and another way to play that we will have to adapt to. We need to focus on our performance again, learn from the last game and take our chances when they come.”

Ryan Lowe, Preston North End Manager:

“Coming off the back of two fantastic performances and two fantastic results, we’re coming up against another good team in Watford who are trying to climb the table and get as high as they possibly can.

“They have a fantastic manager and some fantastic players, and we know we’re going to be in for a tough encounter, but as always it’s one we’re relishing.”

Overall:

Won: 13
Drawn: 15
Lost: 18

Last Six:

March 2023: Watford 0-0 Preston North End (Championship)
August 2022: Preston North End 0-0 Watford (Championship)
February 2021: Preston North End 0-1 Watford (Championship)
November 2020: Watford 4-1 Preston North End (Championship)
August 2015: Preston North End 1-0 Watford (League Cup)
May 2011: Preston North End 3-1 Watford (Championship)

In the fourth-most recent meeting between the sides, in November 2020, Watford put four past Preston at The Vic in an impressive display of attacking intent.

Domingos Quina was first to etch his name onto the scoresheet, powering Ismaïla Sarr’s cross past goalkeeper Declan Rudd on the volley. After a quiet end to the first half, the Hornets fired back into action after the interval, scoring two in 10 minutes through Troy Deeney and Nathaniel Chalobah.

Despite a Tom Barkhuizen consolation strike, João Pedro secured the victory by notching the fourth and moving Watford up to third place in the second-tier table, making it 19 points from a possible 21 at Vicarage Road.