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Cardiff City v Watford: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The season has been largely positive for Watford, who started with three straight wins and have never been outside of the top 10.

However, they head to Cardiff in need of a boost after slipping three points outside of the top six.

While Watford remain hopeful of reaching the play-offs, the Bluebirds are focused on preserving their second-tier status.

Cardiff sit second bottom in the standings but are unbeaten in three league games and pulled off a surprise in the FA Cup third round by winning 1-0 away at high-flying divisional rivals Sheffield United. 

Cardiff City vs Watford

Cardiff City v Watford betting tips and predictions

Draw - 23/10

Watford have largely struggled on their Championship travels and could be held to a draw by lowly Cardiff in the Welsh capital.

A key stage of the season is approaching for the Hornets, who are in danger of wasting their good work from earlier in the campaign.

Tom Cleverley's side have been in and around the top six for several months but they are on the slide after suffering three consecutive league losses for the first time this season.

Their poor recent run started with a surprise 2-1 reverse at home to Cardiff, ending their unbeaten status at Vicarage Road.

Further league losses followed away to QPR (1-3) and at home to Sheffield United (1-2) before their FA Cup hopes were snuffed out by Thursday's 4-1 defeat at Premier League Fulham.

Cleverley outlined his priorities by sending out a predominantly second-string side to face the Cottagers, but his team's performance did little to lift the spirits of 5,000 travelling Watford fans, who had at least hoped to witness a competitive performance.

The 35-year-old could do with a strong performance and maximum points in south Wales to justify his controversial selection policy at Craven Cottage.

However, his team have been unreliable on their travels, taking only eight points from 12 games, and will receive a stern test from the Bluebirds who will be equally keen to push for the three points.

Cardiff's FA Cup run will continue with a fourth round trip to Stoke but the club's main priority is to get themselves out of the Championship's bottom three.

Omer Riza's team have made a positive enough start to 2025, with 1-1 draws at home to Coventry and away to Middlesbrough, but they haven't won on home soil for over two months and are hard to trust as 27/20 favourites to defeat a team positioned 14 places and 14 points better off.

A closely-contested game is on the cards and the draw looks worth backing at 23/10.

Under 2.5 goals - 4/5

Cardiff have tightened up defensively in recent weeks, conceding only three goals in their last four matches, and the Bluebirds are likely to play out a low-scoring game against a Watford side on a poor run of form.

Neither team approaches the match with bundles of confidence and that could increase the chances of a tight affair with under 2.5 goals appealing as a worthwhile wager.

Imran Louza to be carded - 2/1

Imran Louza is Watford's most talented midfielder, but he also gets through a lot of off-the-ball work and will be key to the away side's efforts to break up Cardiff's attacks.

The Moroccan has been yellow carded four times in his last five league appearances and looks a solid wager for another booking.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site

Cardiff City v Watford odds

Cardiff City - 27/20
Draw -
23/10
Watford -
2/1

View the full market and more odds for Cardiff City v Watford on site

Read Cardiff City v Watford how to watch, TV channel, head-to-head stats, team news and more on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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