Watford v Fulham Betting Tip 1 – Tuesday 3rd March

Championship Tips

Things were looking very bleak for Watford after 20 minutes of their match away to Leeds on Saturday. They were two goals behind and facing their second defeat in three games, which would have been a massive blow to their hopes of automatic promotion. However, Watford showed great resolve and scored three goals without reply to close the gap on the sides above them. Both Derby and Middlesborough lost at the weekend so it leaves the Hornets three points off top, and one point behind second place ‘Boro, and the second of the automatic play-off positions.

Having previewed Fulham’s home match with Derby at the weekend, I had anticipated another tough match for Kit Symons men who had gone seven games without a win. It turned out to be a crucial victory for Fulham, however, and a comfortable enough one at that. They took advantage of a very sloppy performance from the league leaders and also managed to keep what was only their second clean sheet in 12 Championship matches. It has given them some breathing space as they have now opened up a gap of 8 points on the side who sit third bottom.

With just five points separating the top six sides, the promotion picture is as tight as it has been for many years in the Championship. Watford, like several others around them, have been very strong at home. A record of 10 wins and three wins from 17 games is impressive going. Of their four home defeats, three of them have come against sides in the top eight so they have been very strong against clubs further down the table.

There are only five sides below Fulham in the table so it will still be too close form comfort for Symons as he looks to steer the club to safety. One thing he will definitely want to improve on between now and the end of the season is their form away from home. They haven’t won on their travels since the middle of December, a run six games, five of which they have lost, managing only two goals in that time.

There’s plenty at stake for both sides but for very different reasons ahead of this London derby. A win for Watford will keep their momentum going for automatic promotion whilst any result for the away team would sure surely be seen as a success. Unfortunately for Cottagers fans, they have already lost to the four sides in to the top six they have played and I can’t see them leaving Vicarage Road with anything here, either.

Watford 4/5 @ Bet365