Preview: Stoke City vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, 14th-placed Stoke trail the visitors by just two points in the Championship standings, highlighting that the Potters have an opportunity to move into the playoff picture.

Match preview

When Rob Edwards was removed as Watford head coach after just 11 games earlier this week, few people were overly surprised, but that did not take away from the decision being widely condemned by supporters and social media alike.

Although Edwards had won just three times in 11 outings, the Englishman had also suffered just three defeats in all competitions, Watford being one point adrift of the playoff places.

Nevertheless, the Hornets will now move forward under Bilic, who returns to English football after his previous spells with West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion.

Watford head into the contest having prevailed in just one of their last seven league fixtures, their most recent outing with Sunderland ending in a 2-2 draw.

The Hertfordshire outfit let slip a lead on two occasions during that match, while they also travel to Stoke without winning any of their five away fixtures this campaign.

Bilic is not the only new manager on show at the bet365 Stadium with Alex Neil just four fixtures into his reign at Stoke.

Five points have been collected from a possible 12, the Potters heading into the international break with a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers.

Stoke have now kept two clean sheets in succession, and Neil will be encouraged that just three goals have been conceded in their most recent five outings.

Midfielder Lewis Baker has been superb for Stoke this campaign, already contributing four goals and two assists, but Neil requires more from his forward players if the club are to mount a bid for the playoff spots.

Stoke City Championship form:

L

W

D

L

W

D

Watford Championship form:

D

L

W

D

L

D

Watford form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

L

D

Team News

Neil may be forced into at least one change to his Stoke XI with Jordan Thompson having picked up an injury while representing Northern Ireland.

Josh Laurent appears most likely to come back into the team, but the rest of the side could remain the same given the improvements which have been made recently.

Forward Jacob Brown remains out of contention after sustaining a thigh injury before the international break.

Having had less than a week to work with his new players, Bilic may stick with the 3-4-1-2 formation which was being used by Edwards.

Last time out, the likes of Craig Cathcart, Hassane Kamara and Keinan Davis were all withdrawn due to a lack of match fitness, but the Watford trio are all in line to feature on Sunday.

Ismaila Sarr will be assessed after sustaining an ankle injury shortly before the international break.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Bursik; Taylor, Flint, Fox; Wilmot, Baker, Laurent, Smallbone, Fosu-Henry; Gayle, Delap

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Hause; Sema, Choudhury, Kayembe, Kamara; Asprilla; Pedro, Davis

We say: Stoke City 1-1 Watford

Given the upheaval at Watford, Stoke arguably enter this contest as the marginal favourites. However, we cannot ignore the extra attacking quality within the Hornets ranks, leading us to predict a competitive draw being played out in the Potteries.

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