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Match Prediction

Watford vs Portsmouth Prediction

Finished

Watford

€65.05m

21 Jan14:45
1 : 1

Portsmouth

€35.67m

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Watford vs Portsmouth Prediction Championship

Watford vs Portsmouth Prediction: Stats, Tips & Storylines for 2026

Mark your calendars for January 21, 2026, as Vicarage Road hosts an intriguing Championship encounter at 19:45 GMT. If you’re searching for a Watford vs Portsmouth prediction, you’ve landed in the right spot. We’ll break down the tactics, form, team news, and serve up some sports betting tips and betting odds, all wrapped up in a story-driven preview that’s as readable as it is insightful.

Watford and Portsmouth: Two Teams, Two Stories

As the winter nights settle in, Watford and Portsmouth prepare for another chapter in their head to head history. Watford, sitting confidently in 6th place, have made Vicarage Road something of a fortress this season. Seven wins in their last ten home matches and a scoring streak that’s stretched to 14 games will have the Hornets faithful buzzing. Their 11 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses reflect a side that’s tough to beat—especially at home.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, find themselves in 21st, battling to stay clear of the relegation zone. With just 6 wins and a string of tough away days (no wins in their last 10 on the road), Pompey fans might be feeling a little anxious. But football is nothing if not unpredictable—Portsmouth have snatched points against bigger sides before, including a gutsy draw at Leicester last October.

Tactics, Team News, and Key Players

  • Watford’s tactical approach is all about control and creativity. Expect them to dominate possession (around 58% is predicted), build from the back, and make the most of their left flank. Othmane Maamma, their goal machine with 37 goals, will be hunting for more, while Imran Louza’s vision has created 12 big chances this campaign.
  • Portsmouth are known for their intensity and clear game plan under John Mousinho. While their away form is patchy, Callum Lang (21 goals) is always a threat, and Josh Murphy’s creativity could be key if he shakes off his ankle niggle in time. However, a long injury list—including Lang, Bishop, and Pack—makes their task even harder.

Watford’s recent head to head record with Portsmouth is tight: two wins apiece and a draw in their last five meetings. The most recent encounter saw Watford edge a 2-1 win last December, while Portsmouth nicked a 1-0 victory last April. Historically, Portsmouth have a slight edge, but current form tips the balance towards the hosts.

Watford vs Portsmouth Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: the Watford vs Portsmouth prediction and what the numbers say for sports betting fans. Our AI at NerdyTips has crunched the stats, and here’s what stands out:

  1. 1x2 Market: The home win is the most promising bet, with a trust score of 6.4.90 and odds hovering at 1.88. The confidence rating is 6.6—solid, if not spectacular. If you’re looking for a safe bet, Watford to win looks appealing.
  2. Over/Under Goals: Over 1.5 goals is another recommended pick, with a trust level of 4.5 and odds of 1.33. Both teams have shown a penchant for scoring, but with Watford’s attack and Portsmouth’s leaky defense (1.46 goals conceded per match), the goals should flow.
  3. Predicted Score: Our model tips a 2-1 win for Watford, with the home side expected to lead 1-0 at half-time. Watford are forecast to fire 13 shots (4 on target) to Portsmouth’s 8 (2 on target), and corners should favor the hosts 4.9.

The market value tells its own story: Watford’s squad is valued at €65.05m, nearly double Portsmouth’s €35.67m. Add in the Hornets’ home form and scoring streak, and it’s hard not to lean toward a home victory. But don’t write Portsmouth off just yet—they’ve upset the odds before, and football loves a surprise.

Final Thoughts: Betting Odds and What to Watch For

  • Watford to win at 1.88 (or 1.88 in some markets) is our headline tip, with the AI and stats both lining up behind it.
  • Over 1.5 goals is a solid addition for those building accumulators.
  • Keep an eye on Maamma and Lang—both have the quality to turn the match.

In summary, the Watford vs Portsmouth prediction points to a home win, likely by a narrow margin. Expect Watford to control the tempo, Portsmouth to fight hard, and enough drama for your Tuesday night. Whether you’re here for the betting odds or just the football, this one should deliver. Good luck—and may your sports betting slips be as accurate as our predictions!

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AI Predictions
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Warning

Watford didn't play better in the last H2H match!

Best Tip

The best betting football prediction for Watford vs Portsmouth

1 -114

Watford is expected to win with odds of -114
6/10

1x2 Tip

1 -114

Watford is expected to win with odds of -114
6/10

Total Goals

Over 1.5 -270

At least 2 goals will be scored in the match
4/10

Both Teams To Score

Yes -106

Both teams are expected to score
1/10

Bet Builder Tip

1X&O1.5 -156

Home win/draw and over 1.5 goals
4/10
Both Teams To Score

Half-Time Score

1:0

Correct Score

2:1

Stats Predictions

1.46
xG
0.56
58%
Ball Possession
42%
13
Total Shots
8
4
Shots on Goal
2
4
Shots Off Goal
2
5
Corners
3
1
Yellow Cards
1

Average / Match

1.24
Expected Goals
0.75
3
Total Goals
2.6
1.5
Goals Scored
0.8
1.5
Goals Against
1.8
50%
Possession
49%
12.1
Total Shots
10.1
4.2
Shots on Goal
3.1
4.3
Shots off Goal
4
9.3
Fouls
10.3
5
Corners
4.8
0.7
Offsides
1.1
2.13
Yellow Cards
1.75
434
Total Passes
368

Overview Last 10 Matches

5
Wins
3
8
Over 1.5 Goals
7
6
Over 2.5 Goals
5
3
Over 3.5 Goals
2
6
Both Teams Scored
5
0
Unexpected Wins
0
0
Unexpected Loses
0

Head to Head

Watford
2 - 1 - 2
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Portsmouth 01-Oct-25
2:2
Watford Watford
Portsmouth Portsmouth 21-Apr-25
1:0
Watford Watford
Watford Watford 26-Dec-24
2:1
Portsmouth Portsmouth
Portsmouth Portsmouth 02-Jan-12
2:0
Watford Watford
Watford Watford 19-Nov-11
2:0
Portsmouth Portsmouth

Profile time Recent Matches of Watford

24 JanD Blackburn Blackburn.
1:1
Watford. Watford
21 JanD Watford Watford.
1:1
Portsmouth. Portsmouth
17 JanL Watford Watford.
0:2
Millwall. Millwall
10 JanL Bristol City Bristol City.
5:1
Watford. Watford
01 JanW Watford Watford.
3:0
Birmingham. Birmingham
29 DecW Norwich Norwich.
0:1
Watford. Watford
26 DecW Leicester Leicester.
1:2
Watford. Watford
20 DecW Watford Watford.
1:0
Stoke. Stoke
13 DecD Wrexham Wrexham.
2:2
Watford. Watford
09 DecD Watford Watford.
1:1
Sheffield We. Sheffield Wed

Profile time Recent Matches of Portsmouth

31 JanPortsmouth Portsmouth.
-
West Brom.West Brom
25 JanDPortsmouth Portsmouth.
1:1
Southampton.Southampton
21 JanDWatford Watford.
1:1
Portsmouth.Portsmouth
17 JanWSheffield Wed Sheffield We.
0:1
Portsmouth.Portsmouth
11 JanLPortsmouth Portsmouth.
1:4
Arsenal.Arsenal
01 JanLBristol City Bristol City.
5:0
Portsmouth.Portsmouth
29 DecWPortsmouth Portsmouth.
2:1
Charlton.Charlton
26 DecDPortsmouth Portsmouth.
1:1
QPR.QPR
20 DecDDerby Derby.
1:1
Portsmouth.Portsmouth
13 DecWPortsmouth Portsmouth.
2:1
Blackburn.Blackburn

England - Championship England - Championship

Team Matches Goals Points
1 Coventry Coventry29
62-33
58
2 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough29
46-29
55
3 Ipswich Ipswich28
48-27
50
4 Hull City Hull City28
47-40
50
5 Millwall Millwall29
36-35
49
6 Wrexham Wrexham29
43-37
44
7 Bristol City Bristol City29
40-31
43
8 Watford Watford28
39-33
43
9 Preston Preston29
36-33
43
10 Stoke City Stoke City29
34-26
42
11 Derby Derby29
39-37
42
12 QPR QPR29
40-42
40
13 Birmingham Birmingham29
39-38
39
14 Leicester Leicester29
40-43
38
15 Southampton Southampton29
41-41
37
16 Swansea Swansea29
32-37
36
17 Sheffield Utd Sheffield Utd28
39-41
35
18 Norwich Norwich29
37-41
33
19 Charlton Charlton28
27-38
32
20 West Brom West Brom29
32-44
32
21 Portsmouth Portsmouth27
24-37
30
22 Blackburn Blackburn28
26-37
29
23 Oxford United Oxford United28
27-36
27
24 Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield28
18-56
-7
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