Hull vs Watford prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-21 14:00.
The differing ambitions of Hull City and Watford both sustained the same bruising during the week, though one 3-1 loss came as a surprise whilst the other did not. Hull, whose survival is now a certainty courtesy of a ten-point cushion from the relegation zone going into the final three rounds, were widely expected to be outclassed by a play-off chasing Middlesbrough given they had not won eight consecutive away games prior (now nine at D5, L4).
Detractors may expect them to also struggle at home to another play-off chasing side, particularly given the Tigers have tasted victory just once in their last eight league outings (D5, L2). The lone exception – a 1-0 triumph against Millwall – means they have taken points from the majority of home clashes with clubs beginning this round in the top half alongside Watford (W4, D2, L5).
Despite opening the scoring within 15 minutes for a third consecutive game, a woeful Watford could not overcome the will and desperation of a Cardiff team trying to avoid the drop. Watford ended the midweek round by joining Hull as one of seven clubs to have won no more than two of their last ten Championship matches and now occupy a mid-table position after freefalling from as high as third in January.
Five points shy of the top six going into this weekend, three straight wins and a lot of luck will be required to sneak into the play-offs, whilst the worst-case scenario is their lowest Championship finish in a decade. Having lost or drawn each of their last eight competitive away trips (D3, L5), the latter could be more likely as they approach back-to-back road fixtures.
Players to watch: New Hull arrival Allahyar Sayyadmanesh has scored before half-time in two of their last four league games, albeit without a victory (D1, L1). On the other side, Watford’s João Pedro has not lost any of his last seven goalscoring appearances (W5, D2).
Hot stat: Only one club (Wigan Athletic, 14) had conceded the opening goal more times in Championship home games than Hull City (12) as of the end of the last round.