Match Pack: Watford v Cardiff City

By: Watford FC Staff

MATCH INFO

  • Watford v Cardiff City
  • Sky Bet EFL Championship (Gameweek 16)
  • Vicarage Road Stadium (Limited Attendance)
  • Saturday December 5, 3pm GMT

OFFICIALS

  • Referee: Stephen Martin
  • Assistants: Rob Smith and Craig Taylor
  • Fourth Official: George Byrne

OPPOSITION

Cardiff City visit Vicarage Road off the back of consecutive convincing home victories against Luton Town and Huddersfield Town. Neil Harris took over in November 2019 and led his side to a fifth-place finish, and the Bluebirds sit 11th going into Matchweek 16. Kieffer Moore is on hot form, with four goals in his last four league games – more than he had in his first 11 appearances in the competition for Cardiff (3).

KEY STATS

  • Watford have won their last three league matches against Cardiff, most recently during the 2018/19 Premier League season when they did the double over them.
  • The last Championship meeting between Watford and Cardiff was back in December 2014, with the Hornets winning 4-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
  • Watford have won more home points than any other side in the Championship this season (19 – W6 D1 L0), while they’ve also scored the most home goals in the division (16).
  • Cardiff City have won back-to-back league games for the first time this season, though they’re winless in their last four on the road (D2 L2).

TEAM NEWS

Nathaniel Chalobah will miss this match after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season against Nottingham Forest. Adam Masina, Tom Cleverley and Will Hughes all returned to training earlier this week and may be considered for selection. The isolation period for players who returned positive COVID-19 tests has ended.

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Vladimir Ivić, Watford Head Coach:

“We know that in this moment with a lot of games we need to rest some players, like you see with Craig [Cathcart] and his hamstring [injury late on against Nottingham Forest].

“We believe that in the next days some of the players will come to help us who have stayed out for different reasons – some of them being injured and some having COVID – so we will see what’s going to happen in the next days.”

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall:

  • Won 21, Drawn 14, Lost 22

Last Six:

  • Feb 2019: Cardiff City 1-5 Watford (Premier League)
  • Dec 2018: Watford 3-2 Cardiff City (Premier League)
  • Dec 2014: Cardiff City 2-4 Watford (Championship)
  • Nov 2014: Watford 0-1 Cardiff City (Championship)
  • Apr 2013: Watford 0-0 Cardiff City (Championship)
  • Oct 2012: Cardiff City 2-1 Watford (Championship)

Hear more about Watford's 4-2 victory in Cardiff from double goal scorer Adlène Guedioura in this weekend's copy of matchday programme The Hornet, available in-store or online HERE.

GOLDEN FLASHBACK

On Cardiff City's last visit to Vicarage Road in December 2018, three stunning individual efforts from Gerard Deulofeu, José Holebas and Domingos Quina earned the Hornets victory over Cardiff City in the torrential rain. Late goals from Junior Hoilett and Bobby Reid reduced the deficit for the Bluebirds but it was a deserved win for the hosts.

Hive Live: Watford v Cardiff City

If you're not one of the lucky 2,000 to be at Vicarage Road on Saturday, you can still follow the action from afar with Hive Live. From 2pm we'll bring you an exclusive interview with Jeremy Ngakia and punditry from former Hornet and FA Cup finalist Steve Terry, as well as much more, to make your matchday experience as great as possible. Secure your match pass HERE.

Share this article

Other News