Watford vs Cardiff prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-02-02 15:00.
After just one defeat in their last eight league games (W3, D4), Watford remain within touching distance of the play-off spots. They have drawn four of the last five (W1) though, including a goalless stalemate at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek which saw boss Valérien Ismaël welcome the point with open arms, saying they “cannot expect everything to be perfect”.
Prior to that draw, both teams had scored in each of the Hornets’ last 11 league games, with six of their 14 home clashes (W5, D5, L4) in the Championship this term actually seeing both teams hit the back of the net before half-time. The omens don’t point towards a clean sheet against Cardiff either, as Watford have conceded at least once in each of their last nine H2Hs (W5, D1, L3).
Erol Bulut’s Cardiff side head to Hertfordshire after a fortnight without a game, and the break may well have been one they needed after a run of one win in five league outings (D1, L3), which saw them leak a total of 11 goals. When you throw a 4-0 thumping in the FA Cup at Hillsborough in there, the Bluebirds have lost their last three in all competitions, conceding at least three in each of those. They haven’t lost four in a row by a 3+ goal margin since 2018.
Despite their recent slump, City just about still have the top six in their sights thanks to a game in hand on most, but are in desperate need of turning things around quickly. Searching for a third straight success at Vicarage Road, any victory is likely to be a narrow one as no team in the bottom half of the Championship has enjoyed more away wins by a one-goal margin than Cardiff (4) so far this season.
Players to watch: Six of Jake Livermore’s seven league yellow cards this season have come in the first half, with all three of his career bookings against Cardiff also within the opening 45 minutes. Karlan Grant has never beaten Watford (D2, L2), but does have two goals against them, both coming in either first or second-half added time.
Hot stat: The away side on the day has won seven of the last nine league H2Hs, with the only home win in that run coming in December 2018 (Watford 3-2 Cardiff).