Watford FC 2-1 Preston
Updated
Watford FC won: Watford FC 2-1 Preston in the Championship (Round 6) on Tue, 8 Sept 2026 at Vicarage Road, Watford. Watford FC goals: Edo Kayembe 69', Mamadou Doumbia 76'. Preston goals: Callum Lang 5'. Expected goals: 1.44-2.48. Possession: 61-39. Player of the match: Edo Kayembe (8.3).
Match report
Watford FC beat Preston 2-1
Watford FC came from behind to beat Preston 2-1 at Vicarage Road on Tuesday 8 September in the Championship.
Callum Lang put Preston ahead on 5' (0-1), Edo Kayembe levelled for Watford FC on 69' (1-1) and Mamadou Doumbia restored Watford FC's lead on 76' (2-1).
Watford FC had 61% of the ball, shots were 15-18 (5-6 on target) and expected goals finished 1.44-2.48. Preston created the better chances but couldn't make them count.
Edo Kayembe (Watford) was player of the match with an 8.3 rating.
Attendance: 14,987. Referee: Farai Hallam.
Match stats
| Watford FC | Preston | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 61 | 39 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.44 | 2.48 |
| Total shots | 15 | 18 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 6 |
| Touches in opposition box | 31 | 19 |
| Big chances | 3 | 4 |
| Big chances missed | 1 | 3 |
| Accurate passes | 443 (84%) | 246 (76%) |
| Yellow cards | 0 | 0 |
| Corners | 2 | 4 |
| Total shots | 15 | 18 |
| Shots off target | 7 | 6 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 6 |
| Blocked shots | 3 | 6 |
| Hit woodwork | 0 | 2 |
| Shots inside box | 11 | 9 |
Lineups
Watford FC (4-1-4-1): Federico Ravaglia, Kévin Keben, Matthew Pollock, Soumaïla Coulibaly, Omar Traoré, Hector Kyprianou, Amin Nabizada, Edo Kayembe, Martín Payero, Rocco Vata, Mamadou Doumbia
Preston (5-3-2): Daniel Iversen, Odel Offiah, Jordan Storey, Lewis Gibson, Harry Clarke, Andrija Vukčević, Léo Leroy, Jordan Thompson, Alfie Devine, Callum Lang, Johnny Kenny
Key events
- 5' · Goal · Callum Lang (Preston)
- 46' · Substitution · Othmane Maamma for Rocco Vata (Watford FC)
- 46' · Substitution · Stephy Mavididi for Amin Nabizada (Watford FC)
- 46' · Substitution · Iker Bravo for Martín Payero (Watford FC)
- 61' · Substitution · Jordan Zemura for Omar Traoré (Watford FC)
- 62' · Yellow card · Andrija Vukčević (Preston)
- 66' · Substitution · Delano Burgzorg for Johnny Kenny (Preston)
- 66' · Substitution · Stanley Mills for Andrija Vukčević (Preston)
- 67' · Yellow card · Lewis Gibson (Preston)
- 69' · Goal · Edo Kayembe (Watford FC)
- 75' · Substitution · Jusef Erabi for Callum Lang (Preston)
- 75' · Substitution · Liam Gibbs for Léo Leroy (Preston)
- 76' · Goal · Mamadou Doumbia (Watford FC)
- 82' · Substitution · Thierry Small for Alfie Devine (Preston)
- 88' · Substitution · Luca Kjerrumgaard for Mamadou Doumbia (Watford FC)
All-time head-to-head
35 league meetings since 1996: Watford FC 9, draws 13, Preston 13.
Questions
Who won Watford FC vs Preston?
Watford FC won, 2-1 (Championship) on Tue, 8 Sept 2026.
When and where is Watford FC vs Preston?
Tue, 8 Sept 2026, 18:45 UTC at Vicarage Road, Watford, Championship.
What is the head-to-head record between Watford FC and Preston?
In 35 league meetings since 1996: Watford FC 9 wins, 13 draws, Preston 13 wins (goals 42-44).