Blackburn vs Watford prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-09-12 18:45.
Blackburn host Watford in what may be a solemn Ewood Park, with both sides’ fixtures postponed last weekend as a mark of respect to the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Whilst the two teams sit next to each other in the upper echelons of the table, it’s Blackburn who are perhaps striving for more consistency, after following up their three wins to start the season with just one win over their last four games (W4, L4).
Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson stated that his Blackburn side “didn’t make it difficult enough’’ in their 3-2 home defeat to Bristol City last time out, which marked consecutive home league losses for only the second time since February 2021. The other occasion arrived just five home matches ago, potentially pointing to a more pressing issue with their form on home turf, and they will now face a Watford side who beat them home and away the last time they shared a Championship campaign in 2020/21.
Watford have not shown the hallmarks of a side who played in England’s top-flight last term, having won just three of their eight opening Championship games, although they have only been defeated once (D4). Speaking after Watford’s 1-1 draw to Rotherham, their fourth consecutive away league stalemate, Hornets manager Rob Edwards commented that “the first 20 minutes weren't good enough’’.
Perhaps Edwards was taking a swipe at a recent trend of poor starts, with Watford conceding first in four of their last five Championship games and within 20 minutes, but encouragement can at least be found in the fact that they tasted defeat just once (W1, D2). Currently sitting sixth in the table, the Hornets will want to see an end to their drawing rut here, though they might need to improve on a blunt travelling attack that has scored once or not at all in each of their away matches this Championship campaign (D4).
Players to watch: Marksman Ben Brereton DĂaz has struck in consecutive home outings for Blackburn, whilst Watford’s Vakoun Issouf Bayo has scored in his side’s last two Championship contests – both a final team goal on the day.
Hot streak: Blackburn have lost the last six Championship games they have conceded first in.