Preston North End vs Watford: match statistics
Preston North End occupies a higher position in the table (7th place) and is showing solid home form with a 44% win rate at home and a +4 goal difference on their own ground. Watford, on the other hand, performs poorly away from home, winning only 20% of their matches and conceding an average of 1.27 goals per game. However, the recent form of both teams is concerning - Preston has averaged only 0.8 points per game in their last five matches, while Watford has managed just 0.6 points per game. Watford boasts superior possession statistics (50% vs 45%) and a slightly higher xG, suggesting offensive potential. Considering both teams' poor form in recent weeks and their balanced offensive efficiency, the most probable outcome appears to be a draw, although the home advantage gives Preston a slight chance of victory.
Preston North End vs Watford: form, goals and key statistics
Key match information
Preston North End played Watford in Championship (England). The match was played on 14 February 2026. Final score: 2:2.
Current form
Preston North End: 1-1-3, 0.80 points/match. Watford: 0-3-2, 0.60 points/match.
Goal statistics
Preston North End scores 1.23 and concedes 1.10 goals per match. Watford scores 1.26 and concedes 1.16. League average: 2.56 goals.
BTTS / Over / Under
BTTS: Preston North End 55%, Watford 61%. Over 2.5: Preston North End 42%, Watford 45%. League level: BTTS 56%, Over 2.5 50%.
xG, shots and style
Watford has higher xG: 1.49 vs 1.27. Preston North End: 11.0 shots per match, Watford: 13.8.
Match halves
Preston North End: half-time lead 35%, second-half goals 0.68. Watford: half-time lead 19%, second-half goals 0.68.
Goals by minute
Preston North End: 76-90+ (11 goals). Watford: 31-45+ (10 goals). This is historical distribution, not a predicted goal minute.
League context
Championship: 2.56 goals per match, BTTS 56%, Over 2.5 50%.
Head-to-head
Before this fixture, 1 previous H2H matches were available: 0-1-0. Average goals 2.00, BTTS 100%.
Archived pre-match analysis
This analysis was prepared before kick-off. The conclusions use only information available before the match and do not include the final result or post-match statistics.
General match analysis
Preston North End occupies a higher position in the table (7th place) and is showing solid home form with a 44% win rate at home and a +4 goal difference on their own ground. Watford, on the other hand, performs poorly away from home, winning only 20% of their matches and conceding an average of 1.27 goals per game. However, the recent form of both teams is concerning - Preston has averaged only 0.8 points per game in their last five matches, while Watford has managed just 0.6 points per game. Watford boasts superior possession statistics (50% vs 45%) and a slightly higher xG, suggesting offensive potential. Considering both teams' poor form in recent weeks and their balanced offensive efficiency, the most probable outcome appears to be a draw, although the home advantage gives Preston a slight chance of victory.
View the statistical overviewHalf-by-half
Match statistics
Pre-match profile— what do the season numbers say?
This is a team profile based on season data and form. Match-flow statistics are shown only after the fixture is played.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Attack and defence comparison for both teams in the current season.
Shooting quality
| Preston North End | Watford | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 33% | 33% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.12 | 0.11 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.33 | 0.28 |
xG per shot around 0.08 usually means long-range attempts; 0.15+ usually means box chances. The style label comes from possession, shot volume and conversion.
* xG (expected goals) says how many goals a team should score from its chances. If actual goals are above xG, finishing is above average; if below xG, chances are being missed.
Team form— who is in better shape?
Last five matches and season record, overall and split by home and away matches.
Preston North End is 33% better for: last-5 form.
0.8 pts / match - Preston North End · 0.6 pts / match - Watford
Goals— how do both teams score and concede?
How many goals both teams score and concede, plus how often they keep a clean sheet or fail to score.
Preston North End is 5% better for: goals conceded per match.
1.1 goals / match - Preston North End · 1.16 goals / match - Watford
Preston North End scores in 77% of matches (24 of 31 matches), while Watford keeps a clean sheet in 16% (5 of 31 matches).
Watford scores in 74% of matches (23 of 31 matches), while Preston North End keeps a clean sheet in 29% (9 of 31 matches).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away matches in the current season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often both teams' matches have goals on both sides, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these matches cross the goal lines?
How often matches involving these teams clear goal thresholds, in the full match and in each half.
Full match - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Preston North End
Over / Under - Watford
1st half
2nd half
Match halves— when do the teams score more often?
How teams split performance between first and second half: goals, points, clean sheets and half-time state.
Preston North End is 26% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.39 pts / match - Preston North End · 1.1 pts / match - Watford
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Preston North End - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 35% of matches and wins 39%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Defence stays stable across the full match.
Watford - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 19% of matches and wins 35%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Defence stays stable across the full match.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.00 | 0.40 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Goals conceded / match | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Average goals in match | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| 1 goal | 60% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 20% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 0% |
| Clean sheet | 60% | 20% |
| No goal | 80% | 80% |
| Goal difference | -4 | -3 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.00 | 0.60 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| Average goals in match | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| 1 goal | 20% | 60% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 40% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 0% |
| Clean sheet | 80% | 40% |
| No goal | 80% | 80% |
| Goal difference | 0 | -3 |
* Colours in tables show event frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate, red is rare. It is frequency, not a team rating.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
Match phases in which both teams most often score and concede.
Most dangerous in minutes 76-90 (11 goals). Concedes most in 31-45 (11). Late-goal balance (76-90): +5 - wins late phases.
Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (10 goals). Concedes most in 0-15 (8). Late-goal balance (76-90): +1 - wins late phases.
* Buckets 31-45 and 76-90 include added-time goals.
Additional team indicators— what do xG, efficiency and form show?
A comparison of chance quality, results and trends based on completed matches from the current season.
Match profile
Preston North End
Watford
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range are calculated from public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical match profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed matches from the season.
League context— is this a high-scoring league?
How both teams compare with league-wide averages (Championship).
Teams vs league
| Preston North End | Liga | Watford | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals in match | ▼ 2.32 | 2.56 | ▼ 2.42 |
| Both teams scored | • 55% | 56% | ▲ 61% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▼ 42% | 50% | ▼ 45% |
| Clean sheets | ▲ 29% | 26% | ▼ 16% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 77% | 71% | ▼ 68% |
| Goal after half-time | ▼ 71% | 78% | ▼ 74% |
^ green = above league average, ˇ red = below league average. This shows direction of the gap, not a team rating.
Lineups and player events
Verified starters, substitutes and recorded player events for this match.
Home team
Starting lineup
Away team
Starting lineup
Match timeline
Goals, cards and substitutions arranged in chronological order.
Referee and managers
Open their season profiles to compare match records, goals and disciplinary trends.
Head-to-head
Previous meeting: Preston North End 0 - 1 - 0 Watford. Average goals 2.00, both teams scored in 100% matches.
FAQ
What was the result of Preston North End vs Watford?
The Championship match finished Preston North End 2:2 Watford. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What do the goal statistics show before Preston North End vs Watford?
Preston North End score 1.23 goals per game on average and Watford 1.26. The Championship average is 2.56 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 50% of games. Both teams score in 55% of Preston North End's matches and 61% of Watford's.
What form are Preston North End and Watford in?
Over the last 5 games Preston North End have a 1-1-3 record (0.80 points per game) and Watford 0-3-2 (0.60 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Preston North End vs Watford?
This page shows the full statistical context — form, head-to-head, goals, BTTS and Over/Under. The tip, value assessment and full reasoning are in the NoFluffPicks app.