Stoke could of been handed a easier tie for the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup, but it’s Watford away we have and Watford we need to beat.

Beating Watford away is a daunting task especially as O’Neill in previous rounds has shown the League is very much priority and made eleven changes for the previous tie versus Doncaster.

Stoke should give Sima another run out to get up-to speed with the English game, Nick Powell May get a start having just come back from injury. 

How have we faired in previous meetings.

Saturday’s fixture will be just the 39th meeting between the two sides

Stoke wins 15

Draws 7

Watford wins 16

The last meeting

We can all remember the last visit to Vicarage rd where then Stoke keeper Angus Gunn was basically rugby talked in to the net while holding the ball. The ref stupidly gave the goal, a goal that would of been disallowed in American Football, never mind the real game of Football. That game ended 3-2 

Joe Allen if he plays will be thankful Trot Deeney is no longer a Watford player having had his head crushed by the Watford striker, another major fouls that went unpunished.

Form (last 4 games)

Stoke

Fulham 3-0 Stoke

Stoke 2-1 Huddersfield 

Stoke 1-1 Barnsley 

Derby 2-1 Stoke

Watford 

Watford 1-0 Palace (cup)

Spurs 1-0 Watford

Watford 0-2 Wolves

Norwich 1-3 Watford 

Watford being a Premier league club have only played one round of the Carabao Cup prior to the Stoke fixture. In that game Watford overcame Premier league club Crystal Palace 1-0.

Who’s the threat

We all know Etebo, luckily for Stoke the Nigerian cannot play against his parent club so that will mean a change for Watford in the centre of midfield. Ismaila Sarr is a serious talent and one that could rip through Stoke as he’s done versus many teams, he’s one I hope doesn’t play against us.

How could Stoke set up for the game.

Steven Fletcher will miss the game as he’s still to train but Nick Powell & Abdullah Sima are expected to start. The rest of the side could reflect whether O’Neill’s  priority is this season.

What is your score Prediction?