After an impressive unbeaten start to the second-tier campaign, Rob Edwards’ Hornets travel to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham City on Tuesday night (August 16, 7.45pm KO).
Ahead of what promises to be an enticing encounter, we take a look at some of the stats, facts and figures that surround the fixture...
Previous Meetings
Watford have won three of their last four away league games against Birmingham, winning all three matches without conceding a goal.
The Blues have lost seven of their last eight league matches against Watford, with this their first meeting since March 2021.
The Golden Boys have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight meetings with Birmingham, and have kept a shutout in their last three matches against the Blues.
Despite Watford’s strong record, Birmingham have won all three of their home midweek matches (Tues/Weds/Thurs) versus the Hornets, with this their first such clash during the week since November 2014.
On average, 2.6 goals are scored when Watford and Birmingham meet.
Recent Form
Watford have lost just one of their last five away league games against sides from the West Midlands, with one of those wins versus Birmingham in December 2020 (1-0).
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.
Edwards’ side are aiming to win consecutive league games for the first time since August 2021, when they beat Swansea City in May and Aston Villa in August.
This is Watford’s fourth league match of the season and they are yet to play on a Saturday (Monday twice, Friday, Tuesday). They are the first side from outside the top-flight to play none of their opening four league games of a season on a Saturday since Carlisle United in 1962/63 in the third-tier.
Opposition Stat Attack
Przemysław Płacheta currently tops the rankings for shots on target (4) for the Blues, with Juninho Bacuna first for shots off target (6) and assists (1). Płacheta has also won the greatest number of fouls for his team (8).
Maxime Colin has attempted the most passes in total (107), as well as the most passes in the opposition’s half (74).
Defensively, Auston Trusty has attempted the highest number of tackles (12) and shares the most number of blocks with Marc Roberts (3).
Dion Sanderson has the most interceptions (6) and the most attempted passes in his own half (57).
