Match Pack: Watford v Cardiff City

Currently sat one place above the relegation places, Cardiff City have struggled this season, winning just twice since the start of March. The Bluebirds come into the game at The Vic off the back of a 4-1 defeat to second-placed Sheffield United on Saturday (April 15).

Manager Sabri Lamouchi, who joined in January, will be hoping for a positive result against the Hornets after the Welsh side were defeated 2-1 in the reverse fixture back in November.

Watford have won five of their last six league matches against Cardiff City, scoring two or more goals against the Bluebirds in all five such victories.

Cardiff won their most recent visit to Watford in the second-tier and are looking to win consecutive away matches against the Hornets for the first time since October 1934.

Watford have lost three of their last four home league matches played on Wednesdays, since a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in March 2021.

Ahead of the match against the Bluebirds, the Hornets’ boss Chris Wilder gave an update on his squad’s fitness.

He said: “We have a couple of players coming back. A couple of the boys played in the Under-21s [during a 3-1 victory over Birmingham City]. Francisco Sierralta played 60 minutes in the Under-21s, and James Morris got a little bit of a bang, so we will assess him.

“Apart from that, Leandro [Bacuna] came off at half-time [against Bristol City], but we are hopeful he will be available. From a health point of view, we are in decent shape.”

For Cardiff City, they will be without forward Callum Robinson for the foreseeable future. Rubin Colwill won’t be available, either.

Chris Wilder, Watford Head Coach:

“Sabri Lamouchi is an experienced manager and he knows the division well. I can imagine, on the whole, it’s been a disappointing season.

“They are fighting for their lives. I know they have a group of players who have all played in the Championship, and they will be desperate to stay in the Championship as individuals.”

Sabri Lamouchi, Cardiff City Manager:

“We go again against probably the best squad in the league in Watford. We will do our best to get a positive result.

“It’ll be tough, but we’re aiming for maximum points. We know why we must give our best. The club deserves to stay in the Championship, and I know the players will do everything they can for that.”

Overall:

Won: 23
Drawn: 14
Lost: 23

Last Six:

November 2022: Cardiff City 1-2 Watford (Championship)
March 2021: Cardiff City 1-2 Watford (Championship)
December 2020: Watford 0-1 Cardiff City (Championship)
February 2019: Cardiff City 1-5 Watford (Premier League)
December 2018: Watford 3-2 Cardiff City (Premier League)
December 2014: Cardiff City 2-4 Watford (Championship)