Michael Beardmore assesses if there will be a sting in the tail as Watford's Hornets host the Bees of Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship.
Watford v Brentford recommended bets
1pt Watford & Brentford to draw 1-1 at 6/1
1pt Troy Deeney to score first at 5/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Watford v Brentford betting tips
- 20:00 GMT kick-off on Sky Sports Football
- Match odds: Home 8/5 | Draw 11/5 | Away 9/5
Few Sky Bet Championship sides are in better nick at the moment than Vladimir Ivic’s Watford – but Tuesday evening’s visitors Brentford happen to be one of them.
Watford have been mightily, and impressively, consistent in bidding to bounce straight back from relegation from the Premier League, sitting fourth with just three defeats – all 0-1s – to their name.
Brentford came so close to replacing the Hornets in the top-flight, losing July’s Championship play-off final in extra time against Fulham.
But they too have rebounded admirably from that blow and sit just two places and two points adrift of their hosts, having also lost just three and coming into this game unbeaten in 11 matches.
You can add to that the fact that Watford have the division’s best home record – 22 points from 27 – while the Bees boast the second tier’s second best away tally of 17 points from a possible 27.
The clichéd phrase ‘something has to give’ springs to mind but I’m not convinced it does – to me, and famous last words I know, this one has draw written all over it.
With the bookmakers unable to separate the promotion hopefuls, a share of the spoils is available at 11/5 and while that is a perfectly acceptable price, I have a couple of suggestions to wring a bit of extra value from the selection.
Given that both sides are not conceding many – Watford with the second best defensive record in the division and Brentford the joint fourth – but also that each does tend to score in most games, I like the 1-1 correct score bet.
The reasons above are probably why it is as short as 4s with Hills but Bet Victor offer 6/1 and I think that is cracking value.
I also like the draw HT/draw FT play at a top-priced 39/10 (VBet) as, in addition to possibly increasing our return should 1-1 land, it also brings 0-0 into play – a result each side has had three of this term.
A flutter on the sides to be level at half-time and full-time would have landed in five of Brentford’s seven draws and four of Watford’s six.
In the goalscorer betting, meanwhile, it’s no surprise to see Brentford’s red-hot 15-goal £5m summer signing Ivan Toney leading the market at around 7/2 or 4/1.
But I’m opting for the next man down in the betting – Watford’s Troy Deeney, who has scored three goals in five starts since returning from a knee injury. Bet365 go 5/1 on the Hornets talisman opening the scoring.
Deeney netted 21, 25 and 20 goals in his last three Championship campaigns and hit double figures in four of Watford’s five seasons in the Premier League. He’s a class act at both levels.
He’s starting to hit his stride again and has been heavily involved in Watford’s attacking play in those past five games, scoring three, setting up two and registering 14 shots.
The recent return of a crowd to Vicarage Road – Deeney netted against Rotherham in supporters’ first game back – will spur on a man who is a real fan favourite and, don’t forget, he takes penalties too.
Score prediction: Watford 1-1 Brentford (Sky Bet odds: 5/1)
Best bets:
Odds correct at 1600 GMT (14/12/20)
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