WILLIE DUNCAN (@Willie_Duncan) shares his verdict on Sunday’s midday Premier League kick-off from Vicarage Road.
Watford v Stoke | Sunday 12:00 | Sky Sports
There is a feast of football for punters to digest on Sunday and, given some of the tasty treats on offer, you could be forgiven for dismissing Watford’s meeting with Stoke at midday as something of an unappealing appetiser.
To do so, however, would be to do a disservice to two sides going in the right direction after a far from convincing start to the season; Watford picked up just a single point from their first three games, while Stoke were without a win after seven league games.
Mark Hughes’ men appeared to have their swagger back before stumbling to a shock defeat against Bournemouth last weekend, while Watford shrugged off their 6-1 hammering from Liverpool at Anfield to see off Leicester.
Hornets happiest at home
The Hornets seem to be happier at home and 10 points from their last four league fixtures at Vicarage Road has seen Walter Mazzarri’s men move into the top half of the Premier League table.
Watford can consolidate their place in the top-10 by claiming all three points against Stoke on Sunday – and those keen to back the hosts should snap up the 7/5 (Betfred) quote on offer from the odds compilers.
Watford have been beaten in just two of their last nine Premier League games on home soil – against Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.
Stoke’s away struggles
Stoke, too, prefer their home comforts and, in fact, Hughes’ side have won just one of their last nine top-flight tussles on their travels – against a hapless Hull at KCOM Stadium last month.
Stoke’s struggles on the road make Mazzarri’s men all the more appealing ahead of Sunday’s showdown and Watford can bag a fourth win in five home games when they face the Potters.
It won’t necessarily be a game for the purists, but punters certainly shouldn’t turn their noses up at the chance to pick up a profit from Sunday’s curtain raiser and the 7/5 quote on offer from Betfred for a home win looks to be packed with value.
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Watford v Stoke – Watford to win (7/5 Betfred)
