Forest v Watford: Draw specialists Watford can muddy play-off picture

Nottingham Forest may have promotion to the Premier League in their sights, however their top-flight bid could be about to stall when they entertain Watford at the City Ground.

Billy Davies’ side are 19/20 favourites to claim all three points and a fourth win in their last six league games, while the visitors are the 14/5 outsiders having tasted victory in just one of their previous 14 matches in the Championship.

However, despite that morale-sapping statistic the real value could lie in backing Watford to frustrate their opponents and return to Hertfordshire with a point, an outcome priced at 12/5 with Ladbrokes.

Newly-appointed Head Coach Giuseppe Sannino has at least inherited a side that’s tough to beat, as evidenced by six straight draws away from home, and aside from that his charges boast enough firepower to trouble their hosts.

Watford’s recent record against Forest also bodes well for their chances in this upcoming clash, with only two losses in their last 10 meetings and four of those contests ending with the points shared.

Away from the match betting market it could pay to take a look at the respective teams’ talismen.

Forest’s in-form midfielder Andy Reid and Hornets striker Troy Deeney have both featured prominently on the scoresheet during the most recent of those encounters and are attractively priced to do so again.

Republic of Ireland international Reid has enjoyed a career renaissance this term, firing his side into play-off contention with eight league goals, including the opener when these two sides met earlier in the season.

He’s available at 7/1 to score first in this return fixture, while Deeney, who has opened the scoring in four of Watford’s league games so far, can be snapped up at 5/1 begin proceedings.

Two goals in his last four matches against the Reds also ensures there’s plenty to back up the frontman’s claims.