Stoke v Watford predictions: High quality attacks could prosper in the Potteries

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Stoke City v Watford in the Championship on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, midday Sunday

Best bet

Both teams to score
1pt 10-11 Hills

Team news

Stoke
Sam Clucas (hamstring) has missed the last two matches and Jordan Thompson suffered a head injury playing for Northern Ireland. Jacob Brown (quad), Harry Souttar, Jack Bonham (both knee) and Gavin Kilkenny (groin) miss out and there are doubts over Harry Clarke (shin) and Dujon Sterling (ankle).

Watford
Ismaila Sarr (knock) featured for Senegal during the international break and should return. Imran Louza (knee) lacks match fitness, Tom Cleverley (calf) has not featured since mid-August and Tom Dele-Bashiru (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Match preview

Slaven Bilic became the latest manager to enter the revolving door at Vicarage Road earlier this week and the Croat has promised that Watford will play on the front foot as they seek promotion back to the Premier League.

Bilic is the Hornets' 16th permanent manager since the club were bought in 2012 by the Pozzo family, whose hire-'em, fire-'em approach has failed to deliver in recent years.

Watford were relegated from the Premier League last season, losing 27 of 38 games, and they had started slowly in the Championship under Rob Edwards, who was relieved of his duties after just 11 games at the helm.

However, there remains quality in their squad, especially in attacking areas.

Injury problems have denied Watford the chance to field their first-choice front three of Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro and Keinan Davis in unison. But they could all play from the start on Sunday against a Stoke side who have begun the campaign solidly under their new manager Alex Neil.

The Potters are another club with promotion aspirations and they have taken eight points from their last five fixtures.

Neil's squad has been stretched - eight players missed the 0-0 draw at QPR prior to the international break - but the Potters still have the tools to get at a suspect Watford defence.

Striking pair Liam Delap and Dwight Gayle are searching for their first goals of the season but they have plenty of pace and movement and can help the home side get on the scoresheet.

Neither team are likely to take a backward step and there is every chance both will find the net at the bet365 Stadium.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in four of Watford's last five matches.

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport