Watford 0-0 Preston North End RECAP and highlights from goalless draw
Preston North End are in action at Watford this afternoon, for 2023/24’s Gentry Day.
Many of the travelling Lilywhites faithful - of which there are around two thousand - will don bowler hats and suits, as those who’ve passed away in the last 12 months and more are remembered. On the pitch, Ryan Lowe’s side are looking to bounce back from defeat to Birmingham City, on Easter Monday.
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Hide AdPNE head into the weekend sitting eighth, with hopes of reaching the play-offs still alive. North End are part of the chasing pack and have seven games left, to try and break in. As for the Hornets, interim boss Tom Cleverley has overseen one win and two draws in his three games in charge. Watford, who are 14th ahead of kick-off, were 5-1 winners at Deepdale earlier this season.
Follow all the action from today’s game, right here!
Watford vs Preston North End LIVE
14' Corner kept alive (0-0)
Keane sees a shot blocked, on the swivel after McCann recycled Brady’s cleared corner. McCann is now down and receiving treatment, after coming off badly from a brilliant tackle - to stop Watford breaking.
13' Blazed over (0-0)
Big chance for Watford, who worked it down the right and fizzed a low cross in - which Woodman palmed as far as Lewis. The left back watched it all the way but sent his first time effort well over the crossbar, to jeers from the away end. Let off for PNE.
9' Shot dragged wide (0-0)
Asprilla shoots low and hard, from the edge of the box, but Woodman is happy to watch it go wide.
7' Routine for Woodman (0-0)
Dele-Bashiru has a foray forward and takes on the shot from 25 yards. It takes a deflection, which takes all sting out of the strike and Woodman watches it all the way into his gloves.
5' Not far off (0-0)
PNE have stuck the ball in Watford’s box a few times already. This time, Brady’s corner is sent into a dangerous area and Whatmough heads just wide from close range...
KICK OFF! (0-0)
PNE get the game under way, shooting away from the travelling fans in the first half. Whatmough, as expected, has slotted in next to McCann in midfield.
Expected approach
With Brady and Hughes expected to operate on the flanks and Whatmough partnering McCann in central midfield, it looks like North End - with the three strikers - are going to turn the ball at every opportunity. It’ll be a case of getting it forward quickly, keeping the ball alive in the final third and making things happen.
This is not a team that is going to get hold of the ball and dictate play whatsoever. It’s certainly an interesting and surprising PNE team, but one that won’t lack aggression or physicality. The worry will be if Watford manage to get hold of the ball and gain real control in the match.
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