WATFORD and West Brom both have aspirations of a return to the top flight, but getting out of the ultra-competitive Championship will require a huge task from both of them, ahead of their Monday night clash.
Going into the weekend fixtures, the Hornets are clinging to a play-off position, with Slaven Bilic's side in sixth place. The Baggies are in tenth under Carlos Corberan.
But such is the tightness of English football's second tier, that WBA would go above Watford with a win at Vicarage Road and they have also played a game less.
Just five points separate the sides from fifth to tenth in the Championship and even 19th place Stoke City are only ten points off a play-off spot.
Draws have frustrated Watford recently – they have shared the points in their last three games, although they would have been pleased enough at collecting a point from Turf Moor against leaders Burnley in their last match. They've only lost one of their last seven games.
West Brom were in fine form last month, but the wheels have come off recently. They've won just one of their last five games in all competitions and lost their last three away games.
How the bookies view it
There's not much between the sides according to the bookies, who make Albion narrow favourites generally.
Best prices see Watford available at 9/5 with Betfred and WBA 17/10 with UniBet. The draw is 12/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The sides shared the spoils at The Hawthorns when they met earlier this season.
West Brom have failed to even score on their last three visits to Vicarage Road and haven't won there since 2007.
Players to watch
Ryan Porteous is a man who needs no introduction to Scottish punters and he's already made his mark at Wstford with a debut goal. The central defender is a real threat at set pieces and has to be worth a long shot at 14/1 to score anytime on Monday.
Brandon Thomas-Asante has 12 goals this season for the Baggies, but has gone off the boil recently with no goals in the league since Boxing Day. He is 5/2 to score anytime with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
There's a reason both sides are so close in the betting, there is nothing between the teams in a league that is so unforgiven and Watford could be set to draw their fourth game in a row here.
A point is never a disaster in this league and it could well be a repeat of the 1-1 draw when they met earlier in the season. Warford have the second highest most draws this season in this league.
Under 2.5 goals may be a bit short at 5/7 with 10bet, but there's every chance this could be a game with slim pickings for goals. Seven of Watford's last eight games have been unders and it's been the same with West Brom's last three games.
This England Championship match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion will be played on Feb 20, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Watford vs West Bromwich Albion prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
