Watford against Plymouth Argyle at Vicarage Road this Saturday lunchtime is to be broadcasted live on Sky Sports Main Event ahead of their rivals playing at 3pm.
The hosts are sat in 10th spot in the Championship table, while the relegation-threatened visitors are languishing at the foot of the standings and have plenty to do in the relegation run-in.
Coventry City’s defeat to Sheffield United has potentially opened the door for Watford and the rest of the play-off chasers in the mix during the final eight games of the season.
If they are to close that gap, Watford will have to improve significantly on the form that they have shown in 2025 so far, having collected just 15 points from as many games in the current calendar year.
Curtis Davies criticises Watford displays and offers Plymouth hope of result at Vicarage Road
Only five teams have collected fewer points in the same period than Watford, but one of those is Plymouth Argyle. They are a side who the Hornets must beat for their play-off aspirations, and many of the expert pundits are predicting a Watford win over Plymouth.
Watford are unbeaten across their past five league games against Plymouth, winning two and drawing three, while also keeping three clean sheets during that time.
We exclusively revealed that Tom Cleverley has a target of the play-offs for next season, or he faces losing his job at Vicarage Road. That’s despite the Watford boss setting records this season.
Sky Sports presenter David Prutton asked the studio: “Is it must win for them?”
Curtis Davies, one of the Sky punditry team, said: “To get the play-offs? I think, yeah, it is.
“Because that gap has just opened up to about five points from Watford. But there are still a few teams in there, of course.
“But I think that could go in Plymouth’s favour. I think the game could be open but Watford have been open in other games and still managed to win games.
“But Watford’s form has just gone wrong at the wrong time. To lose nine of the last 16 games is terrible.
“Watford just have to go for it. But, like I say, for Plymouth — it could open up for them.”
A season-defining fixture run awaits Watford
After losing each of their five home league games between late December and early February, Watford have now won two of their past three at Vicarage Road, while keeping a clean sheet in both of the victories in that time.
It would be a good time to turn the corner prior to playing Burnley in five games’ time. The next four fixtures before then will be what determines Watford ending with some momentum and sneaking into the play-offs or falling short and into mid-table.
Cleverley and co. must beat a Plymouth side who have conceded 77 goals this season, which is the most of any side in the Championship. Only three times previously have the Pilgrims conceded more goals after 38 games of an EFL campaign.
They will also be without Maksym Talovierov for the rest of the season. It’s another big blow but optimism has been low at Plymouth for a while now. Tom Cleverley’s side have a huge opportunity to pile on the misery.
