Automatic promotion is the aim for West Ham United but they have failed to win either of their opening two matches and will be satisfied with nothing less than victory against Watford, who are three points above them in the table.
The visit of West Ham should provide a stern test for Watford, who are getting used to playing the underdog role.
Watford have experienced a difficult summer with Giorgi Chakvetadze and Nestory Irankunda among the players to depart, but they gave their supporters plenty of encouragement on the opening weekend of the season by registering a superb 2-1 success at home to Southampton.
Alessio Dionisi’s side played with good energy and structure against the Saints and showed similar qualities last weekend when drawing 1-1 away to Wrexham.
However, Watford’s squad is short of depth and that showed on Tuesday as a second-string side subsided to a 5-1 loss at home to League One Peterborough in the EFL Cup second round.
While Watford were being ruthlessly punished by the Posh, West Ham faced a tricky challenge at Southampton and passed it with flying colours as a brace from 19-year-old attacker Joshua Ajala assisted a 4-1 success.
The Hammers have an EFL Cup third-round fixture at home to Fulham to look forward to, but their main focus is on Championship points and they will be back to full strength as they go in search of their first league win of the campaign.
Watford v West Ham United Tips Summary
Best Bet - West Ham United to win @ 4/6
Alternative Bet - Manor Solomon to assist a goal @ 5/2
Bet Builder - Jarrod Bowen to score anytime, Under four goals & Hector Kyprianou to be carded @ 16/1
Watford v West Ham United Prediction
Best Bet: West Ham United to win @ 4/6
West Ham were left stunned by last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at home to Charlton, but they can get their promotion push up and running by harvesting three points in Hertfordshire.
The Hammers were slow into their stride against Charlton, although they won the shot count 25 to seven.
Nuno’s side will aim to be quicker out of the blocks against Watford and it shouldn’t take too long for their extra quality to come to the fore.
Watford are working within a tight budget and have got to the final few days of the transfer window with only two senior centre-backs, Mattie Pollock and Kevin Keben, on their books.
The Hornets have looked well organised under Dionisi, who is well respected in Italy having coached Empoli to the Serie B title in 2020/21.
But they have picked up early-season injuries to Kwadwo Baah and Marc Bola and look ill-equipped to cope with West Ham, who can show why they are among the promotion favourites.
Alternative Bet: Manor Solomon to assist a goal @ 5/2
West Ham have made some smart signings, including winger Manor Solomon, who is proven in the second tier.
Solomon was a key part of the Leeds United team that won promotion in 2024/25, providing 12 assists and 10 goals for the Yorkshire side.
The 27-year-old gave a lively performance against Charlton last weekend and could have a key role to play in humbling the Hornets.
Watford v West Ham United Bet Builder Tip
- Jarrod Bowen to score any time
- Under 4 goals
- Hector Kyprianou to be carded
Pays 16/1
West Ham head coach Nuno usually gets his teams well-organised and he will be slightly annoyed that his team has conceded two goals in each of their two Championship games.
However, Nuno’s defence looks strong on paper and it can lay the foundation for a low-scoring success against a hard-working Watford side.
It may take a moment of magic to decide the game and Jarrod Bowen is the most likely to provide it.
The 29-year-old has won 22 England caps and can find the necessary space and quality to deliver his first league goal of the campaign.
Watford will be on the back foot for long periods and their resistance will be led by tough tackling midfielder Hector Kyprianou, who looks a strong card candidate.
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Key Match Stats
- Watford have lost six of their last nine fixtures
- The Hornets have gone nine Championship games without keeping a clean sheet
- Eight of Watford’s last 10 league games have featured fewer than four goals
- Watford have conceded the first goal in three of their last four home league fixtures
- West Ham have won their last five matches against Watford
- The Hammers have scored in their last six successive fixtures
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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.
