Watford vs Cardiff prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-18 18:45.
A 2-0 win over Bristol City likely came too late to salvage Watfordâs hopes of gatecrashing the play-offs, with the Hornets four points adrift of the top-six with just 12 left to play for ahead of the midweek fixtures. Boss Chris Wilder admitted âweâre not thinking about the play-offs at allâ, and with that victory over the Robins their only win in the last five, itâs easy to see why (D2, L2).
At least Vicarage Road remains a safe haven, as Watford have lost just one of their last nine Championship games there (W4, D4). The Hornets have won 36 of their 59 points on their own turf, and just four teams in the division have scored more home goals, so theyâve every reason to be confident of further success here.
Relegation-threatened Cardiff appear unlikely to trouble that record, having lost five of the last six H2Hs between the sides. Motivation wonât be in short order, though, with Sabri Lamouchiâs men fighting for their Championship lives after a 4-1 defeat at Sheffield United left them above the drop zone on goal difference alone.
Despite the heavy scoreline, Lamouchi insisted that if his side replicates that performance in their final five games, theyâll âstay in the Championship for sureâ. His confidence needs to translate to his attackers then, as the Bluebirds are the joint-lowest scorers in the division, while theyâve failed to score in 18 of their league games – no side has blanked more.
Players to watch: Watford marksman JoĂŁo Pedro has netted in back-to-back games, while six of his goalscoring appearances this term have seen his side win âto nilâ. Despite only arriving in January, Sory Kaba can already claim to be Cardiffâs top scorer this term, largely due to a run of five goals from seven appearances.
Hot stat: Just six of Cardiffâs away games in the Championship this season have seen both sides score, the lowest in the division.