2024-25 Sky Bet Championship: Week 31 – Saturday

Promotion-chasing Sunderland host Watford at the Stadium of Light in a huge Championship clash. 

Victory will lift Sunderland up to third before Sheffield United play in mid-afternoon, whilst Watford can go eighth if Sheffield Wednesday lose elsewhere on Saturday lunchtime then Norwich too taste defeat in mid-afternoon.

 

Team News

Alan Browne could return for Sunderland following his recovery from a leg injury.

Ahmed Abdullahi (groin), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Tommy Watson (knee/ankle), Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins (all knee) remain sidelined.

Watford could again be without Rocco Vata after he missed their defeat to Norwich last weekend with a knock.

Vakoun Bayo is beginning the first of his three-match ban following his red card in that loss.

Daniel Bachmann (ankle), Kwadwo Baah, Pierre Dwomoh (both thigh) and Caleb Wiley (fitness) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Sunderland host Watford at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 8 February at 12:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Sunderland have won one of their last six league meetings against Watford (W1, D2, L3).
• Watford have won one of their last six trips to Sunderland (W1, D1, L4).
• Sunderland have kept clean sheets in two of their last three home games against Watford.
• Wilson Isidor has scored in each of Sunderland’s three league matches at home in 2025 (W2, D1).
• Watford have claimed four points in their last eight league matches (W1, D1, L6).

 

Prediction

Given how important the Tees-Wear derby was for both Middlesbrough and Sunderland in their push for promotion, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats showed impressive composure to come from behind to lead before digging deep for a lucky winner in a game which could of easily finished level following two clinical goals from Boro.

Watford meanwhile have hit a proper rut but were unlucky to not get a draw against Norwich despite Bayo’s red card but they will need to be clinical in their high press, yet defensively solid if want to beat Sunderland’s fast-paced attack which is difficult for some teams to handle.

Nevertheless I do expect Tom Cleverley’s Hornets to cause issues if can set up correctly in terms of defensive tactics but Sunderland should just have too much in attack.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-0 Watford

Result: Sunderland 2-2 Watford