Match Pack: Birmingham City v Watford

By: Watford FC Staff

Match Info

  • Birmingham City v Watford
  • Sky Bet Championship
  • St Andrew’s Stadium
  • Tuesday August 16, 7.45pm BST

Officials

  • Referee: David Webb
  • Assistants: Andrew Dallison and Matthew Smith
  • Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear

Opposition

With a win, a draw and a loss from their first three games, Birmingham City sit in 12th going into their match against Watford. The Blues finished 20th last season, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, and have signed five players in order to improve on the 2021/22 position, bringing in defenders Dion Sanderson and Austin Trusty on-loan, Derby midfielder Krystian Bielik, Norwich City winger Przemysław Płacheta and goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Led by Head Coach John Eustace and captained by Troy Deeney, the two former Hornets’ skippers will be looking to pick up three points in an emotional reunion with their old club.

Key Stats

  • Watford have won three of their last four away league games against Birmingham, winning all three matches without conceding a goal.
  • After keeping consecutive clean sheets between March and April, Birmingham have recorded just one shutout in their last nine in the Championship.
  • The Hornets are looking to avoid defeat in each of their opening four league games in a second-tier season for only the fifth time, having also done so in 1988/89, 1989/90, 2000/01 and 2013/14.

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Birmingham City In Numbers.

Team News

Head Coach Rob Edwards said Watford are “still assessing” Tom Cleverley after he picked up an injury against Burnley on Friday night.

Jordan Graham picked up an injury in Birmingham’s Carabao Cup defeat to Norwich City last week, but midfielders Gary Gardner and Krystian Bielik aren’t far from a return, according to Head Coach Eustace.

What Are They Saying?

Rob Edwards, Watford Head Coach:
“The quick turnaround from Friday to Tuesday isn’t easy, but we’ve experienced it Monday to Friday already. We want to be able to recover, we want to get messages across to them for the next game and we’ll need to manage players’ load.

“There are players who feel more sore than others. There’s always lots to do in the three days or so but we’re used to it, so it runs pretty smoothly.”

John Eustace, Birmingham City Head Coach:
“It is another opportunity to play against one of the top teams in the league.

"Watford are favourites for promotion, we are favourites for relegation, so it will be an interesting game.”

Head-to-Head

Overall:

Won: 22
Drawn: 9
Lost: 17

Last Six:

  • March 2021: Watford 3-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
  • December 2020: Birmingham City 0-1 Watford (Championship)
  • April 2015: Watford 1-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
  • November 2014: Birmingham City 2-1 Watford (Championship)
  • February 2014: Watford 1-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
  • August 2013: Birmingham City 0-1 Watford (Championship)

Golden Flashback

Gianfranco Zola’s high-flying Hornets put four past the Blues at St Andrew’s in 2013, thanks to a Troy Deeney brace and goals from Almen Abdi and Ikechi Anya.

Follow Live!

Domestic and overseas supporters can access live coverage of Birmingham City v Watford, via the Hornets’ Hive Live streaming service with Jon Marks and Tommy Mooney.

Click HERE for more information on how to follow the enticing clash.

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