Last time out, City were beaten in the cursed fixture against Stoke, and by cursed, I mean that the home side has not won any meeting between the two in the last 9 games! Stoke also made it 5 wins in a row at the MKM with their 1-0 victory on New Year’s Day.

It was one that both players and fans will want to forget about quickly, a poor overall performance against a side that was certainly there for the taking, ending City’s unbeaten streak.

Just one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes, which came late in the second half, hitting the bar twice, once from close range and the other from a near-perfect strike by Kasey Palmer, along with a half chance from a direct corner in the first half.
City never looked like a real danger, like they have in previous games, not really getting a consistent foothold in what was a very scrappy game from both sides.

However, they will be looking ahead now to a tough test coming over the horizon as the Hornets, who seem revitalised under Javi Gracia in his second spell in charge, visit the MKM looking to extend their winning streak even further.

Opponent Observations

Watford look like a completely different side to the one that City faced at Vicarage Road in September. The reappointment of Javi Gracia has completely lifted their spirits and flipped their performances 180 degrees.

When they beat the Tigers 2-1 in the first meeting this season, the Hornets were sat 21st in the table, only winning one match in their first 6 games, above the drop zone on goal difference.

This time, Watford are sat 4th, one spot above City in the table (on goal difference) after making a remarkable climb, losing just one game in their last 13, with their most recent loss before that coming on the 25th of October, winning 6, drawing 5, and currently on a run of 4 wins in a row.

Not an easy game in store for City at all.

Key Players

Jeremy Ngakia

Ngakia has averaged the second-highest match rating for Watford in the 21 games he’s featured in, with a 7.3/10. From right full-back, he’s scored twice, bagging both in a 2-1 win over Oxford, also registering 4 assists.
A very progressive defender, playing similar to how we see Lewie Coyle play for the Tigers, not afraid to push on and put a ball into the box, but also robust when defending, with over 6.5 duels won per 90.

Imran Louza

Louza is widely regarded as one of the top talents across the division, and for good reason, with the highest average match rating in the Championship (7.7/10), let alone for Watford, featuring in 22 games for the Hornets so far.

The Hornets’ skipper has scored 6 goals and notched 6 assists this season, already eclipsing his tally from last season after just over half of the games played.
I’ve never seen so many stats in the green, just to list a few: 86 touches, 2.3 big chances created, more than 87% pass accuracy and over 2 shots, all per 90 minutes.
It’s safe to say that Louza will be playing in the Premier League next season with or without Watford, and will no doubt pose a huge threat for City to try and nullify.

Luca Kjerrumgaard

The Dane is Watford’s top scorer with 7 goals in 23 appearances, playing as a ‘Number Nine’ for the Hornets. Kjerrumgaard is a physical presence, winning over 3.5 aerial duels per 90 (just under half of all), while also averaging just over 2 shots per game.

Their Last Few

Wrexham 2 - 2 Watford
Watford 1 - 0 Stoke City
Leicester City 1 - 2 Watford
Norwich City 0 - 1 Watford
Watford 3 - 0 Birmingham City

Head to Head

One of the most evenly balanced matchups City have in the Championship, in the last 15 meetings between the two sides, 5 have been won by the Tigers, 5 by the Hornets, and the remaining 5 have ended in a draw, perfectly poised for one of the two to tip it in their favour.

The Tigers are winless in their last 5 games against Watford, the most recent one ending in defeat after City bottled their half-time lead and were made to pay for not taking their chances in the first half.

The last win for the Tigers came in 2023 when City won 1-0 with their only shot on target (a penalty).

Shared Shirts

Nathan Baxter
Hull City - 2021 to 2022 - 30 Appearances
Watford - Current - 7 Appearances

Keith Andrews
Hull City - 2005 to 2006 - 29 Appearances
Watford - 2014 - 11 Appearances

Joshua King
Hull City - 2011 - 18 Appearances
Watford - 2021 - 33 Appearances

Wayne Brown
Hull City - 2007 to 2008 - 42 Appearances
Watford - 2001 to 2003 - 36 Appearances

Marlon King
Hull City - 2008 - 20 Appearances
Watford - 2005 to 2007 - 81 Appearances

Predictions

Starting Lineup

Goalkeeper: Ivor Pandur

Left Back: Akin Famewo
Centre Back: John Egan
Centre Back: Charlie Hughes
Right Back: Lewie Coyle

Midfield: Regan Slater
Midfield: Amir Hadziahmetovic
Midfield: Matt Crooks

Left Wing: Liam Millar

Striker: Oli McBurnie

Right Wing: Kyle Joseph

Scoreline

This one is going to be tough, that’s for sure. With Watford on a hot run of form, and City coming off the back of a disappointing defeat, that should galvanise the Tigers to play how they play best: with confidence, an attack-minded approach, and making the most of their chances in front of goal.
It’s ambitious considering the way the Hornets have been firing lately and the injuries that City have been dealt in recent weeks, but I think City might bounce back from that poor display, as they have seemed to do quite often this season, and win it 2-1