In the English Championship on January 21, Watford will face Portsmouth. Bookmakers have Watford as favorites: a win is priced at 1.74, a draw at 3.60, and Portsmouth's success at 4.66. The implied probabilities from these odds are: Watford - 53.86%, draw - 26.03%, Portsmouth - 20.11%. This setup highlights Watford's advantage, but the goal statistics of both teams suggest it won't be a straightforward match. The line on total goals has the over 2.5 priced at 1.95, making it an attractive option given both teams' attacking and defensive metrics.
In a five-match series, Watford had an average possession of 48.4%, with 1.8 yellow cards, 7.6 fouls, and 0.8 offsides per game. Portsmouth's figures are as follows: possession - 50.2%, yellow cards - 1.4, fouls - 12, offsides - 1. In their last three matches, Watford played as follows: January 17 - Watford vs Millwall 0-2, January 10 - Bristol City vs Watford 5-1, January 1 - Watford vs Birmingham 3-0. Portsmouth in the same period: January 17 - Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth 0-1, January 11 - Portsmouth vs Arsenal 1-4, January 1 - Bristol City vs Portsmouth 5-0. In their last head-to-head on October 1, 2025, the teams drew 2-2 at Portsmouth's ground.
In a five-match span, the average total goals in Watford's games is 3, and for Portsmouth, it's 3.2. Watford scores 1.4 and concedes 1.6, while Portsmouth scores 1 and concedes 2.2. Both teams have seen over 2.5 goals in 3 out of their last 5 games, indicating a tendency for high-scoring matches. In the first half, Watford has gone over 1.5 goals in 3 out of 5, and Portsmouth in 2 out of 5. For the second halves, Portsmouth has 3 out of 5 over 1.5, and Watford 2 out of 5. Watford most frequently scores in the 0-15 minute interval (33%), while Portsmouth scores 22% in three different intervals: 0-15, 46-60, and 76-90. Both teams most often concede in the 61-75 minute interval: Watford - 50%, Portsmouth - 38%. This goal and timing profile supports a bet on over 2.5 goals at 1.95.
On average, Watford earns 4.2 corners per match, and Portsmouth 5.4. In their last five matches, Watford exceeded the 9.5 corners total twice, and Portsmouth four times. Among the corner totals, the closest to the average sum (9.6) is the 9.5 total: over 9.5 corners is priced at 1.72, under 9.5 at 2.00. Watford is favored in the corners market with odds of 1.43. Considering the corner-taking activity of both teams, a bet on over 9.5 corners makes sense.
Sportwars.net prediction for Watford vs Portsmouth, 2026-01-21 - Over 2.5 goals, odds 1.95. Correct score: 2-1, odds 8.00.


