Watford vs Middlesbrough

Match summary

Watford and Middlesbrough played out a goalless draw.

Middlesbrough had the better of the chances, with 1.93 expected goals (xG) from 18 shots to Watford's 0.31 from 8.

Watford hosted Middlesbrough in the Championship on matchday 15, enduring a difficult afternoon in terms of territory and possession as the visitors dominated the play. Middlesbrough controlled 74 percent of the ball and completed 669 passes with a pass accuracy of 89.8 percent, compared to Watford's 226 passes. Despite registering 18 shots and creating 52 dangerous attacks, Middlesbrough failed to break the deadlock, accumulating an expected goals total of 1.93. Watford managed only 8 shots and 1 shot on target, recording an expected goals figure of 0.31 from their 35 dangerous attacks.

The match saw a quiet first half on the disciplinary front before the referee issued several cards after the interval. The first incident of note occurred in the 14th minute when Watford made an early substitution, replacing Krépin Diatta with Omar Haktab Traore. Callum Brittain received a yellow card for a foul in the 21st minute, followed by Sam Byram in the 43rd minute. Further bookings were shown to Sebastian Berhalter in the 59th minute and Omar Haktab Traore in the 71st minute for simulation, as both sides made multiple substitutions before the final whistle confirmed a goalless draw.