Blackburn vs. Watford Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 26 April 2025 - bettingexpert
A significant clash is set at Ewood Park as Blackburn hosts Watford on 26 April 2025 in the Championship. With Blackburn sitting in 9th place and Watford in 12th, both teams are vying to finish their seasons strong. Blackburn is favored to win, according to bookmakers, with odds at 1.72 for a home victory.
Blackburn has shown solid form with three wins in their last five games, boosting their playoff hopes. In contrast, Watford has struggled, losing four of their last five matches.
Blackburn’s top scorer, Yuki Ohashi, and Watford’s leading goal-getter, Vakoun Issouf Bayo, will be key figures. Injuries could impact both sides, with Blackburn facing several sidelined players.
Weather forecasts and referee details aren’t yet available, but expect Ewood Park to play a pivotal role, favoring Blackburn’s chances. Recommended bet: Blackburn to win.
Blackburn vs Watford Prediction & Betting tip
Based on the current form and match conditions, our recommended bet is for Blackburn to win. Here’s why:
- Blackburn has been performing well recently, winning three out of their last five games and showing a strong home advantage.
- In contrast, Watford is struggling with four losses in their last five matches, indicating a lack of momentum.
- With the game at Ewood Park, Blackburn’s familiar territory could further tip the scales in their favor.
| Blackburn vs Watford Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Blackburn to win | 1.72 |
- Blackburn is in solid form with recent wins, suggesting they can handle pressure.
- Watford is in poor form, losing four of their last five games.
- Ewood Park’s home advantage increases Blackburn’s winning chances.
Blackburn vs Watford Odds
With Blackburn tipped as the bookmaker’s favorite, here’s a look at the odds:
| Blackburn vs Watford Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Blackburn | 1.72 |
| Draw | 3.60 |
| Watford | 4.77 |
The odds clearly indicate that Blackburn is expected to come out on top, especially given their strong recent form. They’ve secured three wins in their last five matches and hold a comfortable home advantage at Ewood Park.
For those keen on a punt, the draw offers a moderate return, whereas betting on Watford could yield higher returns, though it’s a riskier option given their recent struggles.
Blackburn Team Analysis
Blackburn Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunderland | Blackburn | 2025-04-21 | Championship | 0-1 (Win) |
| Blackburn | Millwall | 2025-04-18 | Championship | 4-1 (Win) |
| Luton | Blackburn | 2025-04-12 | Championship | 0-1 (Win) |
| Blackburn | Sheffield Wed | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Blackburn | Middlesbrough | 2025-04-04 | Championship | 0-2 (Loss) |
Blackburn are in solid form, with a recent record showing three wins, one draw, and one loss (LDWWW). They’ve averaged 1.60 goals scored per game in their last five matches and managed to keep two clean sheets. Their defensive performance has been commendable, conceding an average of just 1.1 goals over 44 matches this season.
This recent upswing indicates a team capable of taking the fight to their opponents, especially when they play at home with the backing of Ewood Park.
Blackburn Key Players
Blackburn’s success this season has been significantly influenced by key players such as Yuki Ohashi, their top scorer with 8 goals. His sharpness in front of goal makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. The midfield, guided by Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad, provides a solid foundation, with Travis being particularly effective in disrupting the opposition’s attacks. The defensive line, featuring Dominic Hyam and Danny Batth, has shown resilience, contributing to their recent clean sheets.
Expect Blackburn to line up as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Balázs Tóth
- Defenders: Callum Brittain, Danny Batth, Dominic Hyam, Yuri Ribeiro
- Midfielders: Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis, Tyrhys Dolan, Cauley Woodrow, Ryan Hedges
- Forward: Yuki Ohashi
In this fixture, watch for individual battles, particularly Ohashi against Watford’s centre-backs, which could be pivotal.
Blackburn Suspensions & Injuries
Blackburn are certainly feeling the strain with several players sidelined due to injuries. This could impact their depth and flexibility, particularly in their defensive and attacking line-ups.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Wharton | Cruciate ligament | Mid May 2025 |
| Zak Gilsenan | Muscle injury | Early May 2025 |
| Harry Leonard | Leg injury | Early May 2025 |
| Andreas Weimann | Meniscus injury | Early June 2025 |
| Augustus Kargbo | Hamstring injury | Early May 2025 |
| Emmanuel Dennis | Hamstring injury | Early May 2025 |
| Hayden Carter | Calf injury | Early May 2025 |
| Owen Beck | Hamstring injury | Late May 2025 |
These absences will challenge coach Valérien Ismaël to find suitable replacements to maintain their recent form and push for a playoff spot.
Blackburn Tactics and Formation
Blackburn Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Yuki Ohashi
- Midfield Trio: Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis, Tyrhys Dolan
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Utilizing width effectively with Callum Brittain and Yuri Ribeiro pushing forward to support attacks.
In recent matches, Blackburn have employed a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation. The duo of Sondre Tronstad and Lewis Travis provide a solid defensive midfield foundation, while Tyrhys Dolan offers creativity just ahead. Valérien Ismaël’s tactical adaptability has been key, especially with Ohashi leading the attacking line, supported by wingers Cauley Woodrow and Ryan Hedges. Their disciplined approach has been central to their recent winning streak.
Watford Team Analysis
Watford Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | Watford | 2025-04-21 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Watford | Burnley | 2025-04-18 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| West Bromwich | Watford | 2025-04-12 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Watford | Hull | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Bristol City | Watford | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
Watford’s recent form has been rather disappointing, with four losses in their last five games. This run of poor results has seen them tumble down the table, currently sitting in 12th place with 56 points.
The team has struggled to find the back of the net, averaging only 0.8 goals in their last five games. Defensively, they’ve also been leaky, managing just one clean sheet in the same period. Watford needs to tighten up at the back and find some attacking spark to turn their fortunes around.
Watford Key Players
Expected lineup for Watford:
- Goalkeeper: Egil Selvik
- Defenders: Ryan Andrews, Francisco Sierralta, James Abankwah, Caleb Wiley
- Midfielders: Imran Louza, Pierre Dwomoh, Tom Ince, Edo Kayembe, Rocco Vata
- Forward: Mamadou Doumbia
Watford’s top scorer, Vakoun Issouf Bayo, with 10 goals, will be missed due to his suspension. Mamadou Doumbia, expected to lead the attack, faces a tough challenge against Blackburn’s solid backline.
Tom Ince, with his experience and creativity, will be key in midfield battles, particularly opposing Lewis Travis. The presence of Imran Louza in midfield adds a defensive shield, crucial against Yuki Ohashi and Blackburn’s attacking threats.
Watford Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Keben | Red card | 26/04/2025 |
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Kwadwo Baah | Thigh injury | Early May 2025 |
| Yasser Larouci | Groin strain | Mid May 2025 |
| Giorgi Chakvetadze | Foot injury | Early May 2025 |
| Amin Nabizada | Strain injury | Mid May 2025 |
Watford will be without Kevin Keben due to suspension, which is a significant blow to their defense. Additionally, the team is suffering from various injuries to key players, impacting their squad depth and options on the field. These absences could worsen Watford’s already struggling form and limit their ability to compete against a potentially playoff-bound Blackburn side.
Watford Tactics and Formation
Watford’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Mamadou Doumbia
- Midfield Setup: Imran Louza and Pierre Dwomoh as defensive midfielders, with Tom Ince, Edo Kayembe, and Rocco Vata in advanced roles.
- Defensive Line: Ryan Andrews and Caleb Wiley as fullbacks, with Francisco Sierralta and James Abankwah as center-backs.
Watford’s strategy revolves around a structured 4-2-3-1 setup aimed at controlling the midfield through Louza and Dwomoh. The team’s attacking efforts will likely hinge on Doumbia’s hold-up play and the creative support from Ince and Vata on the wings.
Given their recent struggles and defensive vulnerabilities, expect Watford to adopt a cautious approach, perhaps focusing on quick counter-attacks and set-piece opportunities. Their formation also suggests an intent to bolster midfield stability to offset their recent defensive woes.
Blackburn vs Watford Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watford | Blackburn | 2024-10-26 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Blackburn | Watford | 2023-12-23 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Watford | Blackburn | 2023-08-27 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Watford | Blackburn | 2023-02-11 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Blackburn | Watford | 2022-09-13 | Championship | 2-0 (Win) |
In their last five encounters, the honours have mostly evened out. Blackburn has clinched victories twice, while Watford has managed two wins themselves, with one draw.
Their most recent meeting saw Watford edging out a narrow 1-0 win. Key takeaways include Blackburn’s solid performance at home with two wins.
This match-up often proves competitive, so expect another closely fought contest on Saturday.
Odds accurate as of 24/04/2025 15:02, and are subject to change. Always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
