Birmingham vs Watford kick-off, date & TV info
Date Monday, December 1
Kick-off 8pm
Venue St Andrew’s, Birmingham
Competition Championship
TV Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Birmingham and Watford are in form and both will be looking to move to within touching distance of the Championship play-off positions when they meet at St Andrew’s on Monday.
Blues, promoted from League One last season, sit 11th in the standings and are only four points adrift of the top six, while despite being down in 15th, Watford are just five shy of the top six places.
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Birmingham vs Watford betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Both teams to score
3pts Evs Coral, Ladbrokes
Player shots on target
Marvin Ducksch over 1.5 shots on target
2-1 bet365
Longshot
Birmingham to win 2-1
15-2 Ladbrokes, BoyleSports
Birmingham vs Watford preview
With plenty of investment behind them and having romped to the League One title last season, Birmingham were being tipped by many to mount a serious promotion charge and there are signs that could now be the case.
Blues have certainly been enjoying themselves on home soil. They have won their last three games at St Andrew’s, scoring four goals in each of those victories, seeing off both Portsmouth and Millwall 4-0 before getting the better of Norwich 4-1.
Only runaway league leaders Coventry have scored more home goals in the Championship than Chris Davies’ side, who have found the back of the net in each of their eight league matches at St Andrew’s, scoring 19 times in total.
While their form away from home has not been as strong, Birmingham did pick up a point at local rivals West Brom last time out and they have now lost just one of their last five matches, and even in that sole defeat at Middlesbrough, they still managed to get on the scoresheet.
Home form has been key for Birmingham boss Chris DaviesCredit: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Birmingham’s impressive form could look a little ominous for Watford, who have won only once on their travels all season. But that sole victory came on their last road trip at Derby and the Hornets appear to be building up a head of steam under Javi Gracia.
Gracia lost two of his first four matches after returning for a second spell in charge of Watford in October, but he has since seen his side go five games unbeaten and they have also scored in seven consecutive fixtures.
Finding the net has not been a problem for Watford this season, but keeping a clean sheet has, as they have only secured one shutout in their 17 Championship matches. That came on home soil – the Hornets have conceded 12 times in eight away fixtures.
Watford are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Birmingham, winning six of those games and they have scored on their last six visits to St Andrew’s.
These two sides are in form and playing with confidence, so picking a winner may not be clear, but backing goals at both ends looks the best approach.
Ducksch finding his Championship feet
Injury and unfamiliar surroundings contributed to Marvin Ducksch making a slow start to his Birmingham career following his summer move from Werder Bremen, but the two-cap Germany international appears to have now found his feet, scoring three goals in his last two games.
Ducksch has had a total of four efforts on target in those matches against Norwich and West Brom and he can manage at least a couple more against a Watford side who are far from watertight at the back.
Blues to edge to another home win
Birmingham have won their last three Championship home fixtures emphatically, but given Watford’s improved form under Gracia, this may be a closer affair, although one Blues can still edge.
The last time Birmingham beat Watford it finished 2-1 and history could repeat itself.
Birmingham vs Watford Bet Builder
Over 2.5 goals
Birmingham have scored 12 goals in their last three home fixtures, while Watford have netted in seven consecutive games but have kept just one clean sheet all season.
Marvin Ducksch anytime goalscorer
Ducksch has scored three goals in two games – his first for Birmingham – and as a player with plenty of pedigree behind him, he can continue his hot streak on Monday.
Imran Louza to score or assist
Watford captain Louza has been involved in a team-high ten Championship goals this season, scoring six himself and providing four assists, while six of those involvements have come across his last seven games.
Pays out at 17-2 with bet365
Key stats for Birmingham vs Watford
♦ Birmingham have won their last three Championship home fixtures, scoring four goals in each of those successes.
♦ Only league leaders Coventry have scored more home goals than Blues this season.
♦ Watford have scored in seven consecutive matches.
♦ The Hornets have kept only one clean sheet in their 17 Championship matches this season.
♦ Birmingham have not won any of their last seven meetings with Watford, losing six of those.
♦ The most recent clash ended in a 1-0 win for Watford at St Andrew’s in March 2024.
Birmingham vs Watford betting odds
Sign up with SkyBet to bet on Birmingham vs Watford in the Championship. Here are the latest odds for Monday’s match.
MarketOddsBirmingham4-6Watford7-2Draw27-10
Odds correct at time of publishing
Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Birmingham vs Watford team news and predicted line-ups
Birmingham
Blues will be without midfielder Tomoki Iwata, who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against West Brom, while Willum Thor Willumsson, Ethan Laird, Lee Buchanan and Scott Wright all remain sidelined through injury.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Osayi-Samuel, Neumann, Klarer, Cochrane; Doyle, Paik; Roberts, Stansfield, Gray; Ducksch.
Subs: Robinson, Leonard, Cashin, Anderson, Koumas, Furuhashi, Dykes.
Watford
Giorgi Chakvetadze made his long-awaited return from injury as a substitute against Preston last time out and could now start. Gracia has no fresh injury concerns but Kwadwo Baah, Rocco Vata, Jack Grieves, Caleb Wiley and Egil Selvik remain out.
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Baxter; Ngakia, Keben, Pollock, Bola; Kayembe, Louza, Kyprianou; Doumbia, Maama, Kjerrumgaard.
Subs: Alleyne, Abankwah, Ince, Chakvetadze, Sissoko, Irankunda, Semedo.
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FAQs for Birmingham vs Watford
When is Birmingham vs Watford in the Championship?
This Championship clash will take place on Monday, December 1 and kicks off at 8pm.
Where is Birmingham vs Watford being played?
Birmingham’s St Andrew’s ground will be the venue for this Championship offering.
Where can I watch Birmingham vs Watford?
The match is available to watch in full on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
What is the match betting for Birmingham vs Watford?
Birmingham are 8-11 favourites to win this game, with Watford priced at 15-4 and the draw 27-10.
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