Match Info
- Birmingham City v Watford
- Sky Bet Championship
- St Andrew's
- Saturday March 16, 3pm KO
- White and burgundy away kit
Officials
- Referee: Matthew Donohue
- Assistant Referees: Paul Hodskinson and Andrew Fox
- Fourth Official: Darren Drysdale
Opposition
Birmingham City have found themselves dragged into a relegation battle after a run of four defeats and one draw in their last five games.
A 1-0 home loss to Middlesbrough on Tuesday means the Blues are just one place, and one point, above the drop zone. They could find themselves as low as 23rd if results go against them this weekend.
A positive start to the season under John Eustace seems a long time ago, with the former Hornets captain replaced by Wayne Rooney with the team in sixth.
The side have picked up just five wins in the Championship since, with Tony Mowbray brought in after Rooney was dismissed in January.
Mowbray has had to step aside from his duties due to health reasons, with his assistant Mark Venus taking temporary charge.
Stats Buzz
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Watford have won nine of their last 11 league meetings with Birmingham City (D1 L1), keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
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The Golden Boys have lost just two of their last 10 away league games (W5 D3), after losing four of their first eight such games to begin 2023/24 (W1 D3).
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Birmingham are winless in their last five league games (D1 L4) and could lose three in a row for the first time since October.
Click HERE for a full statistical breakdown.
Team News
Watford's new Interim Head Coach Tom Cleverley was optimistic about Giorgi Chakvetadze's recovery time after the Georgian midfielder was forced off at half-time against Coventry last Saturday.
"It’s not as bad as perhaps we all first feared," he said. "We’re hopeful Giorgi will be back with us sooner rather than later."
Ken Sema and Jeremy Ngakia are still under the care of the Watford medical team, while Wesley Hoedt will serve the first of his two-game suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards.
Birmingham captain Dion Sanderson will be available for selection after serving the final game of his three-match suspension against Middlesbrough.
But the Blues will be without Marc Roberts, Keshi Anderson, Krystian Bielik, Alfie Chang and Siriki Dembele.
What Are They Saying?
Tom Cleverley, Watford Interim Head Coach:
"I have focused a lot of hours onto Birmingham; we went to their fixture on Tuesday night - there has not been much sleep!
"It has been a bit of a whirlwind but I feel we have done a really good job at having tunnel vision on the job in hand and preparing the lads the best we could.
"I am not underestimating the challenge we have on Saturday at all."
Click HERE to see Cleverley’s full pre-match press conference.
Mark Venus, Birmingham City Assistant Manager:
"I think he [Cleverley] is going to want to do something different, he's going to want to make his mark on the football club.
"He's got a decent squad to work with and I'm sure he'll come with bags of enthusiasm, looking forward to the game against us.
"We have to stand up to that and show how our football club is a difficult place to come to."
Head-to-Head
Overall:
Won: 24
Drawn: 10
Lost: 17
Last Six:
September 2023: Watford 2-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
March 2023: Watford 3-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
August 2022: Birmingham City 1-1 Watford (Championship)
March 2021: Watford 3-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
December 2020: Birmingham City 0-1 Watford (Championship)
April 2015: Watford 1-0 Birmingham City (Championship)
Golden Flashback
Watford continued their play-off push towards the end of the 2012/13 season with a dominant 4-0 victory away at Birmingham. A brace from Troy Deeney against his boyhood club, as well as goals from Almen Abdi and Ikechi Anya, secured the three points.
Follow Live!
Domestic and overseas supporters can access live coverage of Birmingham City v Watford, via the Hornets’ Hive Live streaming service.
Click HERE for more information on how to follow the game.
