Watford v Reading predictions: Ismaila Sarr can star again for happy Hornets

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Ismaila Sarr to score first
1pt each-way 13-2 bet365

Team news

Watford
Joao Pedro shook off an ankle knock to start Monday's 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough but Tom Cleverley and Troy Deeney missed out.

Reading
Michael Morrison, John Swift and Felipe Araruna are sidelined while Tom McIntyre is a doubt.

Match preview

Watford's record signing Ismaila Sarr took his seasonal goal tally to ten with the opener in Monday's 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough – becoming the first Hornets player to reach double figures – and his match-winning qualities could help secure a crucial victory over promotion rivals Reading.

This season was a slow burner for Watford, who struggled for consistency until eight weeks ago when a change of formation – from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 – prompted a dramatic improvement.

Since the switch they have gathered 31 points from a possible 36 and climbed from seven points outside the top two to nine points clear of third-placed Brentford.

The extraordinary turnaround has taken the Hertfordshire side tantalisingly close to securing an immediate return to the top flight although there are big challenges ahead with three of the final six games coming against fellow top-four teams.

Xisco Munoz's side could not hide their disappointment after dropping two points at Middlesbrough but their mood will have lifted on Tuesday when Brentford were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Birmingham.

That result leaves the Bees peering nervously over their shoulder at the chasing pack, which includes sixth-placed Reading.

Four points separate third to seventh in the Championship and at least one of those five teams will fail to extend their season.

Reading have been in the top six for almost the entire campaign and they overcame a recent four-match winless sequence with an impressive 3-1 victory at home to Derby on Monday.

They had too much firepower for the Rams with classy attacking midfielder Michael Olise firing them in front and top-scorer Lucas Joao finishing the job with his 19th league goal of the season.

Royals boss Veljko Paunovic can also call on dangerous forwards Yakou Meite and George Puscas, who reached double-figure tallies last season and have been hampered by injuries in 2020-21.

Reading's offensive qualities would give them hope against any opponent in the division but their defence – which is missing injured lynchpin Michael Morrison – is a concern.

The Royals have not kept a clean sheet in their last five games and face a huge challenge attempting to shackle the team with the best home record in the EFL.

Watford's emergence as a top-two contender has been a team effort underpinned by the best defensive record in the division.

However, Sarr has become increasingly influential – scoring five goals over the last two months – and looks the most likely candidate to set them on their way to a seventh successive home victory.

Key stat

Ismaila Sarr has scored five goals in his last 11 appearances.

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