Watford and Plymouth fought out a goalless draw in the Vicarage Road sunshine that did nothing to help the ambitions of either club.
An insipid first half did at least give way to a second period full of chances and urgency.
However, Watford’s dominance after the interval could not be converted into the victory that would have enhanced their play-off hopes.
For bottom club Plymouth, who began the day six points adrift of the Championship safety zone, a solitary point felt similarly inadequate.
The visitors’ pressing game nullified the passing style of their hosts in a first half in which the only chances fell the way of Miron Muslic’s side.
Shortly before the half-hour, Michael Obafemi slipped a cute ball into the path of Ryan Hardie whose first-time swept shot was parried away superbly by Watford keeper Egil Selvik.
The two Plymouth strikers combined again shortly afterwards with Obafemi again the provider. On this occasion, Hardie’s shot was partially blocked by Caleb Wiley.
Visiting keeper Conor Hazard spent the opening half largely untroubled. Ryan Andrews ought to have tested him a minute before half-time only to misjudge a Wiley pull-back and allow the ball to bounce away from his feet.
It was not until injury time at the end of the first period that Rocco Vata attempted Watford’s first shot.
Even as the ball thudded into the advertising board wide of the Plymouth goal, ironic cheers rose up from the frustrated home supporters.
With a five-point deficit to make up on the play-off places at kick-off, victory felt imperative for Watford boss Tom Cleverley, whose frustration with his side’s passivity was clearly aired in the dressing room at half-time.
His side’s greater urgency was immediately apparent with crosses sent over from both flanks. One delivery by Wiley was nodded down by Francisco Sierralta only for Vakoun Bayo’s mistimed shot on the swivel to fail to make it through a forest of Plymouth legs.
Plymouth central defender Kornel Szucs was then required to block a Vata shot before Bayo threw himself at a driven Giorgi Chakvetadze cross but was beaten by its pace.
Suitably impressed, Cleverley introduced the energetic Kwadwo Baah whose dynamic wing play set up Vata for a shot that was deflected against the Plymouth crossbar.
Baah then sprinted away to sting the palms of Hazard with a rising shot. It seemed only a matter of time before the Plymouth goal was breached, although a volleyed Vata cross somehow evaded everyone in the six-yard box.
Opportunities for the away side were scarce until substitute Muhamed Tijani sent a low shot narrowly wide following an 87th-minute corner.
Watford were denied late on as a last-gasp Edo Kayembe shot was deflected inches over.
[(Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.) Strength]: 1. Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. will be at home first in this tie. They hope to extend winning record, with full motivation.2. Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. beat Hapoel Jerusalem F.C. 2-1 in the last home game, making it three wins in a row.3. Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. defeated Hamrun Spartans F.C. 5-2 on aggregate in the last qualifying round and advanced.4. Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C....
[(Seattle Sounders FC) Strength]: 1. Seattle Sounders FC achieved 4 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 home games with good performances.2. In the previous group stage of the Leagues Cup, Seattle Sounders FC scored 11 goals in total. They are the top in Group B, with outstanding performances.3. Seattle Sounders FC conceded only 3 goals in the last 5 games with a good defense.4. Seattle Sounders FC los...
[(FC Midtjylland) Strength]: 1. In-form Dario Osorio scored and assisted in the last game. He may get more playing time in midweek's European game.2. FC Midtjylland scored at least 2 goals in all the last 4 games with a stunning offense.3. In the last UEFA Europa League qualifying round, FC Midtjylland defeated Eliteserien side Fredrikstad twice, with outstanding performances.4. FC Midtjylland bea...
[(KF Shkendija) Strength]: 1. KF Shkendija, playing at home in this game, need to go all out to gain the upper hand and are highly motivated.2. KF Shkendija won 3-1 away from home in the last league match, returning to the winning track and boosting their morale.3. KF Shkendija have performed well at home and have achieved three consecutive victories so far. They have only lost 2 of their last 20 ...
[(SC Internacional) Strength]: 1. SC Internacional lost 0-1 in the first leg and are currently 12th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, performing poorly. They urgently need to prove themselves in the Copa Libertadores. This time playing at home, they will do their best to win and strive for advancement, so the team are motivated.[(SC Internacional) Weakness]: 1. SC Internacional goalkeeper Ivan...
[(Rosenborg) Strength]: 1. Rosenborg won two consecutive rounds in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers and advanced to the play-off stage. In the first leg against Bundesliga team 1.FSV Mainz 05, Rosenborg must capitalize on their home field advantage to secure a victory, laying a solid foundation for the second leg. So they are highly motivated.2. Rosenborg have remained unbeaten at home in the...
[(Esporte Clube Juventude) Strength]: 1. Esporte Clube Juventude are currently near the bottom of the table with 15 points, still 4 points away from the survival zone. They are in strong intention of picking up points.2. Esporte Clube Juventude won the last two consecutive games in AH with an improved trend.[(Esporte Clube Juventude) Neutral]: 1. Esporte Clube Juventude drew 2-2 away to Esporte Cl...
[(Estudiantes de La Plata) Strength]: 1. Santiago Ascacibar made 1 goal and 1 assist for the team in the last two games, being in good form.2. Estudiantes de La Plata kept unbeaten in the last 5 home games with 4 wins and 1 draw, being in great form.3. Estudiantes de La Plata have scored 12 goals since the group stage of Copa Libertadores. Their offensive performance in cup event is reliable.4. Es...
[(Fenerbahce S.K.) Strength]: 1. Fenerbahce S.K. have strengthened their squad by recruiting players during the off-season. Their goals for this season are to contend for the league title and qualify for the main tournament of the UEFA Champions League. Having eliminated the Eredivisie giants Feyenoord in the first round, the team must seize the home advantage in the first leg against SL Benfica, ...
[(Celtic F.C.) Strength]: 1. As a Scottish Premiership giant, Celtic F.C. have rich experience in European competitions and a high reputation. They have made a flying start to the season with three consecutive wins, and their morale is high. Facing the relatively weak FC Kairat Almaty, they hope to secure an easy victory with home advantage, lay the groundwork for the Play-off round, and smoothly ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 3 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 4 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 5 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 8 TIPS - Gwangju FC VS Daejeon Hana Citizen
- 9 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 10 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer