Watford vs Bristol City prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-14 14:00.
Watford boss Chris Wilder labelled his team âfragileâ after they let slip a 2-0 lead to draw at Coventry City on Monday. That result extended their winless streak to four league matches (D2, L2), with their defending letting them down by conceding 2+ goals in each of the most recent three. That run saw the promotion hopefuls drop down to 12th at the end of the last round, six points below the play-off places whilst having played one game more than sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers.
Desperate to reignite their campaign, the Hornets will be pleased to be heading back home where they have lost only one of their last eight league matches (W3, D4), even if their most recent home effort produced that sole defeat against lowly Huddersfield. Watford conceded three times in that game (L 3-2), but with four successive competitive clean sheets against Bristol City, perhaps theyâll see the Robins as the ideal opponent to ensure thereâs no repeat of that sloppy defensive display.
The away side suffered an eerily similar Easter Monday to the hosts, blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Middlesbrough. Bristol City sat just one place and three points below Watford coming into the round, but manager Nigel Pearson elected to overlook them throwing away two points post-match Monday and instead praised the âgood performanceâ of his side, perhaps indicating he has accepted a promotion challenge is now beyond them.
Even so, Pearson will surely want to see his side shake this recurring habit of forfeiting leads, for only Luton have dropped more points from winning positions ahead of the round (23). In the immediate, thereâs also a golden chance to build on their success at Stoke last week by sealing successive away league wins for the first time in one year.
Players to watch: Building the reputation of being a âsuper-subâ, Britt Assombalonga has scored off the bench beyond the 70th minute in two of his last three Watford home games. City eyes will be on key creator Nahki Wells who is looking for a third assist in as many matches.
Hot stat: Watfordâs last six league games have produced at least one first-half goal, as have each of Bristol Cityâs last five league outings.