Watford vs Huddersfield prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-06 14:00.
While few would disagree with Watford boss Chris Wilderâs claim that the club needs a âcultural resetâ, his comments in the aftermath of a damaging 2-0 derby defeat against Luton seemed odd. With such scrutiny on any Watford boss given the clubâs âhire and fireâ mentality, his comments only served to amplify the criticism of his side ahead of the visit of Huddersfield for what has the feel of a âmust winâ game in his sideâs faltering top-six push.
No fewer than six points adrift of the play-off places ahead of the round, time is running out for Watford to stake their claim for an instant return to the Premier League. They can perhaps lean on a seven-match unbeaten home league run for inspiration (W3, D4), but the Hornets must now turn those draws into wins and thatâs something theyâve managed to do against Huddersfield, winning three of the last four home H2Hs.
This game represents a totally different proposition though, with Huddersfield resurgent of late in their battle to beat the drop. Successive wins against promotion chasing Millwall and Middlesbrough have moved the Terriers to the brink of safety, but having played a game more than the two sides immediately above them, their position remains perilous.
Neil Warnockâs side now have the opportunity to secure a third straight league victory for the first time this season and potentially climb out of the drop-zone depending on results elsewhere. That already seems a tall order for the Championshipâs second-worst travelling side this season (W3, D4, L12), before you consider the fact Warnock has lost a joint-career high 18 managerial games against Watford (W9, D6).
Players to watch: A scorer in Watfordâs last two home league games, Keinan Davis has seen all five of his Vicarage Road Championship goals this term arrive before the break. Fresh off the back of a double against Boro, Matty Pearson has been accustomed to the refereeâs notebook as well as the scoresheet lately, collecting three yellow cards in his last six outings.
Hot stat: Huddersfield have trailed at half-time in a joint-league high 11 Championship away games (HT: W3, D5).