Preview: Cardiff City vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Hornets occupy seventh position in the standings, Cardiff are 17th after returning to winning ways at the weekend.

Match preview

When Slaven Bilic started his Watford reign with three defeats in five matches, comparisons were naturally being made with Rob Edwards, who was sacked for losing the same amount of fixtures over a longer period.

However, the Hornets have since responded with important wins over Luton Town and Wigan Athletic, keeping clean sheets in both fixtures.

After scoring four times against the Hatters, Watford were required to produce a different kind of performance against the Latics, not scoring the only goal of the game until Joao Pedro netted with three minutes remaining.

Having failed to score in August, the Brazilian has now contributed in successive games, and Bilic will feel that Watford can only continue to improve with the forward performing at his best.

Although Watford have prevailed in two of their last four away games, they still possess just the 15th-best record on their travels during 2022-23.

Bilic's side make the trip to Wales to play a team who have the 12th-best home record, yet that does not necessarily tell the whole story.

Cardiff have conceded just four times in eight outings on familiar territory, their fifth clean sheet at their ground coming during the 1-0 win over Rotherham United at the weekend.

With Mark Hudson hoping to retain the managerial position on a long-term basis, a positive result was imperative with Cardiff having previously lost three times in succession.

Now sitting four points clear of the relegation zone, the Bluebirds can now play with a greater sense of freedom, but this team have only netted more than once in a game in their last eight outings.

Cardiff City Championship form:

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Watford Championship form:

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Team News

Having both made an impact as substitutes against Rotherham, Mahlon Romeo and Jaden Philogene-Bidace will expect to earn recalls to the Cardiff XI.

Depending on whether Hudson keeps to a four-man defence, Tom Sang and Sheyi Ojo could be the players to miss out.

Callum Robinson remains sidelined as he serves the second of a three-match suspension.

Keinan Davis could return to the Watford attack if he is able to shake off the hip injury which kept him out of the trip to Wigan.

While Craig Cathcart may also return to the squad after injury, Hamza Choudhury is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card at the weekend.

Dan Gosling may return to central midfield, allowing for Mario Gaspar to take his spot at right-back.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Allsop; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Rinomhota, Wintle, Ralls; Philogene-Bidace, Harris, O'Dowda

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Gaspar, Troost-Ekong, Sierralta, Kamara, Gosling, Kayembe; Sema, Pedro, Sarr; Bayo

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Watford

Hudson and Cardiff will be on a high after getting back on track at the weekend. Nevertheless, there can be no doubting that Watford possess the superior quality in the final third, something which we feel will lead to the Hornets edging this contest by the odd goal in three.

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