Watford 1-1 Preston North End: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Watford 1-1 Preston North End in the Championship on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Preston North End struck first in this Championship clash, taking the lead at 22' when D. Jebbison finished off a move assisted by L. Dobbin to put the visitors ahead. Watford responded with plenty of possession but struggled to break down a solid Preston defence for much of the first half. The hosts finally levelled just before the break at 45+1', with M. Doumbia slotting home after good work from J. Ngakia to make it 1-1 going into half-time.

The second half saw Watford continue to dominate the ball, but Preston held firm despite a series of yellow cards disrupting their rhythm. Both sides made changes around the hour mark and later, with Watford introducing fresh legs like G. Chakvetadze and N. Irankunda at 74', while Preston brought on T. Small at 62' and others later. The game ended in a tense 1-1 draw, with late bookings for both teams but no further goals as defences stood strong.

Watford controlled 59% of possession compared to Preston's 41%, which allowed them to rack up six corners against just two for the visitors and complete 64 successful dribbles to Preston's 33, pointing to a more attacking and fluid approach that kept Preston pinned back for spells.

However, this dominance didn't translate into a win, as both sides recorded one assist each, leading to their single goals, and Watford's pressure only yielded an equaliser without a decisive edge. Preston picked up four yellow cards to Watford's two, suggesting a more physical approach that might have helped them grind out the point. At the same time, both teams used all four substitutions—such as Watford replacing O. Maamma with G. Chakvetadze and L. Kjerrumgaard with N. Irankunda at 74'—to try shifting momentum.

The lack of injury-time goals meant the match stayed level despite the added tension, with Preston's higher card count potentially reflecting their need to disrupt Watford's rhythm to secure the draw.

The game's opening goal came at 22' as Preston's D. Jebbison converted an assist from L. Dobbin to give his side an early advantage, setting a defensive tone for the visitors. Watford fought back to equalise at 45+1' through M. Doumbia, who finished neatly from J. Ngakia's setup, ensuring the teams went in level at the interval.

Key turning points included Preston's substitution at 62', where T. Small replaced J. Thompson to bolster the midfield, and Watford's double change at 74' saw G. Chakvetadze come on for O. Maamma and N. Irankunda for L. Kjerrumgaard, which added energy but couldn't force a winner amid a flurry of late yellow cards like H. Kyprianou's for Watford at 71' and several for Preston.

Watford lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with a focus on width and forward partnerships, with M. Doumbia linking effectively with support from the flanks, including J. Ngakia's assist on the equaliser. The setup allowed for strong possession play, though the backline had to stay alert against Preston's counters.

Preston North End deployed a 3-5-2 shape, emphasising midfield numbers and defensive solidity, with D. Jebbison and L. Dobbin forming a potent attacking duo that delivered the opener through their combination play. This formation helped them absorb pressure while looking for breaks, though it led to several bookings as they held firm.

Mamadou Doumbia is the Man of the Match, contributing 1 goal, 0 assists, 0 big chances created and 3 key passes in 86 minutes. His timely equaliser just before half-time was pivotal in earning Watford a point, showcasing his threat in the forward line.

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Preston North End (H)
• Win: 3-2 vs Derby County (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Bristol City (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Ipswich Town (A)
• Win: 3-0 vs Middlesbrough (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Watford (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Blackburn Rovers (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Millwall (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Swansea City (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs Southampton (A)

Watford will take some positives from this hard-fought draw, having dominated possession and created chances, but they'll need to convert that control into wins to climb the table. Their next fixture offers a chance to build momentum at home or away, depending on the schedule.

Preston North End can be satisfied with a point on the road after taking an early lead, though their disciplinary issues with four yellow cards highlight areas for improvement. They'll aim to tighten up in their upcoming match to turn draws into victories.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.