Watford v Burnley predictions: Clarets can extend unbeaten start

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Watford v Burnley in the Championship on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Burnley draw no bet
1pt 6-5 general

Team news

Watford
Francisco Sierralta is set to miss out after suffering an injury during Monday's 1-1 draw at West Brom. Imran Louza and Tom Dele-Bashiru (both knee) remain sidelined but Hamza Choudhury could feature after joining on loan from Leicester.

Burnley
Scott Twine and Jay Rodriguez have joined Ashley Westwood and Johann Berg Gudmundsson on the sidelines.

Match preview

Relegated Watford and Burnley are off to solid starts in the Championship and the Clarets can extend their unbeaten run with a victory at Vicarage Road.

There has been no sign of a hangover from either side with each on four points from two games, but Watford have some issues to address after their 1-1 draw at West Brom on Monday.

Watford's midfield was overrun at The Hawthorns and their overworked defenders were unable to offer sufficient protection for goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, who faced seven shots on target.

The Hornets wasted a glorious chance to win the game when Ismaila Sarr's tame penalty was saved by David Button, but the point gained was more than they deserved.

Watford have faced a tougher start than Burnley, who followed up a dominant 1-0 success at Huddersfield with a 1-1 draw at home to Luton, but the Clarets had good control of both games with possession shares of 70 and 71 per cent.

It is a far cry from the Sean Dyche era when they played a much more direct style and the change of approach seems to be working.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany might anticipate some bumps in the road and would appreciate the risks attached to a possession-based style when faced with a team of Watford's counter-attacking capabilities.

However, Burnley gave up very few chances in their opening two matches and, if they can keep a lid on Sarr, Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis, they will have every chance of recording a second successive away win.

Key stat

Watford have lost 12 of their last 14 home matches.

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