Hull vs Watford predictions: Tigers can bolster play-off hopes
- Hull have won three straight home games in the Championship
- Watford have won only once in eight attempts on their travels
- Recommended bet: Hull
Hull’s 4-1 win at home to Rotherham on Tuesday enabled them move into the Championship play-off places and three more points could follow against their latest visitors Watford.
Liam Rosenior is doing an excellent job at the MKM Stadium, with the Tigers having lost only four of their opening 18 games to put themselves in the promotion hunt.
Watford represent a stiffer test than midweek opponents Rotherham and the Hornets may be feeling pretty good about themselves after coming from two goals down to win 3-2 at home to Norwich on Tuesday.
However, the mid-table Hornets have been sticky on their travels with consistency being their downfall, while Hull have won three straight Championship matches on their own patch.
Team news
Hull remain without Dogukan Sinik, but Rosenior could be set to name the same starting XI that defeated Rotherham in midweek.
There is potential, however, for Ozan Tufan to return to his creative midfield role at the expense of Jason Lokilo.
Watford have Imran Louza and Matheus Martins available if manager Valerien Ismael wants to shuffle his pack, while Daniel Bachmann returns from suspension.
The stats
Hull’s only defeat in nine Championship home games this season came in a 2-1 reverse to Southampton, and they have won four of those fixtures.
The Tigers have won their last three in the league at home, keeping clean sheets against Preston and Huddersfield.
Hull are also unbeaten in three meetings with Watford, recording clean sheets on each occasion and winning their last two at home.
The Hornets have won four of their last seven in the Championship, but only one of those victories came away from home, where their form is patchy.
Ismael’s side have won only one of their opening eight away games, taking only six of their 24 points on their travels, while Watford have also failed to score in five of those eight road trips.
Prediction
The recruitment policy of Rosenior at Hull in the summer was right on the mark and, as a result, the Tigers are reaping the rewards and have put their name in the playoff mix.
Hull acquired the services of Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa, Brighton’s Aaron Connolly and Scott Twine from Burnley, all of whom have made positive contributions since arriving in Yorkshire.
With three straight home league wins, Hull should be confident that they can go in again against Watford, who have been a shadow of themselves on their travels.
The Hornets have won only once in eight away games, losing on four occasions, and they have scored just five times on the road.
Watford have lost to nil on trips to Stoke, Leeds, Sunderland and Leicester and they could find this Hull defence, who have kept three clean sheets in six outings, equally as stubborn.
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