Match report
Watford beat Preston 2–1 at Watford Stadium in Championship. G. Chakvetadze opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Watford have 3 wins in their last 5, while Preston have 3 wins in their last 5.
Match events
1H
⚽G. Chakvetadzeassist M. Bola
8'
19'
⚽J. Lewisassist A. Hughes
⚽P. Ekwah
31'
35'
Ed Nolan
2H
A. Eames
52'
⇄Alfie Marriott↓ P. Ekwah
64'
64'
⇄D. Iversen↓ N. Mawene
⇄E. Selvik↓ G. Chakvetadze
73'
73'
⇄J. Walton↓ J. Lewis
E. Bove
84'
Momentum
WAT
⚽⚽⚽
PRE
Match info
TournamentChampionship · England
Kick-offMay 2, 2026 · 19:00
VenueWatford Stadium
Attendance52,190 / 59,989 (87%)
RefereeJ. Gil (Pol)
FIFA ranking
#3·
#10
#3·#10Where to watch
Sky Sports
Statistics
54Ball possession %46
1.7Expected goals (xG)1.2
12Total shots12
6Shots on target5
4Shots off target5
4Blocked shots2
7Corner kicks6
2Offsides4
9Fouls13
2Yellow cards3
0Red cards0
4Goalkeeper saves4
510Passes510
80Pass accuracy %76
16Tackles17
Player of the match
L. Lindsay7.9Lineups
WAT 4-3-36.97Formation6.964-3-3 PRE
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | G | +/- | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Coventry | 46 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 97:45 | +52 | 95 | WWDLW |
| 2 |  Ipswich | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 80:47 | +33 | 84 | WWWWD |
| 3 |  Millwall | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 64:49 | +15 | 83 | WWWWD |
| 4 |  Southampton | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 82:56 | +26 | 80 | LWWWD |
| 5 |  Middlesbrough | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 72:47 | +25 | 80 | DLWWW |
| 6 |  Hull City | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 70:66 | +4 | 73 | WDDLL |
| 7 |  Wrexham | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 69:65 | +4 | 71 | WDDLW |
| 8 |  Derby | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 67:59 | +8 | 69 | DLLLW |
| 9 |  Norwich | 46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 63:56 | +7 | 65 | WDLLL |
| 10 |  Birmingham | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 57:56 | +1 | 64 | DLLLW |
| 11 |  Swansea | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 57:59 | -2 | 64 | LWWWD |
| 12 |  Bristol City | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 59:59 | 0 | 62 | WWDDL |
| 13 |  Sheffield Utd | 46 | 18 | 6 | 22 | 66:66 | 0 | 60 | LLLWW |
| 14 | Preston | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 55:62 | -7 | 60 | LLWWD |
| 15 |  QPR | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 61:73 | -12 | 58 | LWWWD |
| 16 | Watford | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 53:65 | -12 | 57 | LLWWD |
| 17 |  Stoke City | 46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 51:56 | -5 | 55 | LLWWD |
| 18 |  Portsmouth | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 49:64 | -15 | 55 | WDDLL |
| 19 |  Charlton | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 44:58 | -14 | 53 | LLWWD |
| 20 |  Blackburn | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 42:56 | -14 | 52 | LWWDL |
| 21 |  West Brom | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 48:58 | -10 | 51 | WDDLL |
| 22 |  Oxford United | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 45:59 | -14 | 47 | WWDDL |
| 23 |  Leicester | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 58:68 | -10 | 46 | LWDDD |
| 24 |  Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 2 | 12 | 32 | 29:89 | -60 | 0 | DLLLL |
European qualification Relegation
Championship
2026Watford2-1PrestonChampions League
2024Watford0-2PrestonDomestic Cup
2023Preston3-2WatfordChampionship
2022Watford1-0Preston