Watford vs Hull City: Betting Odds & Prediction

Mid-table Watford host play-off hopefuls Hull City at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

While the home side have little to play for between now and the end of the season, Hull still harbour ambitions of finishing among the coveted play-off places. Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time. 

Recent Form 

Watford 

The hosts run of five matches unbeaten came to an end at the weekend when they succumbed to a 3-2 away loss at in-form Southampton. Nevertheless, Tom Cleverley's side have all but secured their Championship status for next season after initially looking in danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight. 

Four of Watford's last six games have ended in a draw, including three in a row heading into the Southampton clash, which leaves them in 15th place and eight points above the relegation places. A top-half finish is looking unlikely for the Hornets, who have little to target between now and the season's end. Such circumstances often see a drop-in performance, possibly increasing the likelihood of an away victory this weekend. 

Watford's recent home form only amplifies this point further; they've not won in their last eleven league matches at Vicarage Road, with their last victory dating back to November when they secured a 3-2 win over Norwich City. The run has seen them average a measly 1.1 points per home game so far, with only QPR and relegated Rotherham United having worse records on home soil in the Championship. 

They do tend to find the net in front of their own fans though, scoring in 81% of their home fixtures, but only 29% have ended in a clean sheet for the home side.

Hull City 

While Liam Rosenior's side have a game-in-hand on the teams around them, Hull can ill-afford to drop more points if they are to secure a play-off spot. They currently sit in seventh, six points behind sixth-placed Norwich City heading into the weekend. 

The Tigers are unbeaten in their last three, two of which have ended in wins, and they most recently secured a 3-0 home win over QPR. The return to form has stemmed damage caused by consecutive defeats to Stoke City and Leeds United, which threatened to undo their push for promotion. 

Hull have excelled on the road this season, boasting the fifth-best away record in the division having averaged 1.65 points across their 20 outings. They have found the net at least once in 85% of these matches, though only 20% have seen them keep a clean sheet. 

Prediction

Watford deserve credit for their recent form but, with them having little to play for between now and the season's end, a drop-off in performance is almost inevitable. Combined with their facing a Hull side who know every point counts, the away victory emerges as the sensible pick on the moneyline here. 

Watford have also made habit of conceding at home, with 48% of their matches at Vicarage Road seeing them ship two or more, while Hull have found the net two or more times in 32% of games on the road already. Expect more away goals this weekend as Rosenior and co push for a potential Premier League return.

OddsNow's Picks: Hull City to win (33/20 @ BetMGM); Over 1.5+ away goals scored (13/10 @ BetUK)