Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Leeds United last time out, the Hornets will be hoping for an improved performance and result at Vicarage Road this weekend when they host Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship.
Ahead of the fixture against Boro on Saturday (September 30, 3pm KO), here we take a look at all the stats, facts and figures surrounding the eagerly-awaited encounter.
Previous Meetings
Watford have won four of their last five home league games against Middlesbrough, since a 2-1 defeat in October 2012.
Following a 2-0 win over the Golden Boys in January 2023, Middlesbrough are looking to record consecutive league wins against Watford for the first time since November 2011.
The Hornets have only lost one of their previous 11 league games against Middlesbrough (W6 D4), losing the most recent encounter.
Recent Form
Only Middlesbrough (30) and West Bromwich Albion (28) have won more home Championship points in 2023 than Watford (27), with the Hornets losing just one of their last six league games at Vicarage Road (W3 D2).
Boro haven’t won successive league games since April, having gone on a 10-game winless run before beating Southampton 2-1 last weekend (D3 L7).
Only Southampton (64.8%) and Leicester City (62.3%) have had a higher share of possession in second-tier games this season than Watford (60%), while only Blackburn Rovers (258) have played more successful long passes than the Hornets (251).
Opposition Stat Attack
The honour of top league goalscorer at Boro is shared among multiple players, with the likes of Matt Crooks, Marcus Forss and Hayden Hackney all on one goal apiece. Emmanuel Latte Lath is leading the way for the most shots on target with nine, while Samuel Silvera is first for shots off target with 10.
Australian midfielder Silvera is also top for assists at Middlesbrough with two. Hackney has attempted the most total passes (678) and the most passes in the opposition’s half (423), but Dael Fry tops the ranks for passes in his own half (389).
Silvera has attempted the most crosses (19) and dribbles with the ball (30), with Hackney making the most tackles (15). Centre-half Fry is first for the most interceptions (10) and clearances (39), with his defensive partner Darragh Lenihan having made the most blocks (9).
