Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Watford have effectively dropped out of the play-off picture. With six matches remaining and a seven-point deficit to make up, a late surge appears unlikely, especially given their current run of form. Hull City, on the other hand, are building momentum as they look to solidify their position above the relegation zone. The squad currently enjoy a slim three-point buffer and will be highly motivated coming into this fixture.
Watford
The hosts have registered just one win in their last six outings, picking up five points in that spell. Over the same period, Watford have managed only three goals. Defensively, they have struggled as well, having conceded 56 times — the 17th-worst record in the league. First-choice goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann kept five clean sheets in 22 appearances before being replaced by Egil Selvik, who has already matched that number in just 10 matches. However, the Norwegian has also conceded 11 goals in that stretch, largely due to a defence that allows an average of four shots on target per game.
Hull City
Hull City are enjoying a positive run, losing just once in their last six matches and picking up three wins during that period. Their away form has been particularly solid, with only two defeats in their previous nine trips — one of which came against league leaders Burnley (2:0). The reverse fixture between these two teams ended in a 1:1 draw, with both goals scored late in the match. It was a fairly balanced contest overall.
Watford vs Hull City Prediction
Watford appear to be lacking form and attacking sharpness, with motivation seemingly low. Hull City tend to adopt a cautious approach away from home but have proven effective at collecting points. They have lost only once in their last six meetings with Watford, and in that lone defeat, they missed a penalty and still outperformed their opponents in xG (1.92 vs 0.63). While a win may be a tall order, the visitors are well capable of coming away with at least a draw.
