Preston v Watford: play-off push meets top-half hunt | OneFootball

Preston North End host Watford in the Championship at Deepdale on Saturday, 14 February 2026, with the hosts chasing the play-off places and the visitors aiming to halt a five-game winless run.

Preston North End are seventh on 47 points after beating Portsmouth, while Watford sit 12th with 44. The reverse fixture in November ended 1-1.

Preston have taken four points from their last two league games after three straight defeats. The Hornets are winless in five, drawing three and losing two, including defeat at Southampton and a goalless draw at Hull.

Paul Heckingbottom is without Robbie Brady, Brad Potts, Andrew Hughes and Daniel Iversen through injury. For the visitors, Nestory Irankunda is suspended, with Héctor Mateo Kyprianou and Rocco Vata sidelined.

Preston average 45% possession and have delivered 436 open-play crosses at 19.04% accuracy, with nine clean sheets. The Hornets keep more of the ball at 52% and an 80.83% pass completion, and could lean on Imran Louza's six assists, while Lewis Dobbin has five for the home side.

A win would take Preston to 50 points and could nudge them into the play-off places. The Hornets, currently on 44 points in 12th, could close in on the top half and keep the play-off race within reach if they take something from Deepdale.