Hull City v Watford match preview
Nov 4, 2005
Author: Iceman

Despite disposing of Cardiff, Derby, Stoke and Ipswich on their travels this season, Watford have seemingly struggled against the lesser lights, meeting four of the sides in the bottom five and failing to beat any of them.

Hull City currently lie somewhere in between in 18th place, so it is hard to predict how well Watford will perform against them. However, current form would suggest Watford should rack up their fifth away win of the season. Hull have won just once in their last seven league fixtures, whereas Watford have picked up ten points from their last four games.

The Tigers also seem to have suffered more than most from injury problems this season, ruling out the likes of Stephen McPhee, Andy Dawson, Roland Edge, Keith Andrews, Ian Ashbee and Danny Coles for significant periods. All will be unavailable for this weekend's match. However, Tigers' boss Peter Taylor has strengthened his hand with the addition of the experienced Port Vale captain Sam Collins. He is likely to be thrown straight in at centre back. Premiership loanees John Welsh and Chris Brown will be looking to impress thier parent clubs with competent displays, whilst Northern Ireland forward Stuart Elliott could pose a danger on the left wing.

It is up front where Hull have struggled most to adapt to the higher level following promotion last season. Only 13 league goals have been recorded, with joint top scorers Stuart Elliott and Ben Burgess netting just twice each. City have therefore had to rely on the excellence of former Aston Villa 'keeper Boaz Myhill in goal to keep goals to a mimimum at the other end.

In stark contrast Watford are the league's second highest scorers, having already netting an impressive 29 goals this season. Much credit for this goals to the livewire pairing of Marlon King and Ashley Young, who have contributed 16 of those goals. The Hornets' only absentee will be Dominic Blizzard, who is still battling back from a virus, so an unchanged line-up is expected, although Darius Henderson will be keen to earn a recall to the side.

So, on paper, Watford should prove too strong for Hull on Saturday and add a few more to their seasonal goal tally in the process. However, we all know that Watford invariably struggle to dispose of teams when they are expected to win, and Hull may prove to be a difficult side to break down. The 20,000+ crowd should also give Hull plenty of support, so the game is more likely to be a cagey, low-scoring affair, perhaps decided by the odd goal.

Verdict: Watford don't do long winning runs and they don't beat lesser teams away from home. Hull should be solid at the back, but may lack creatvity and penetration going forward. Therefore, I see 'draw' written all over this game, and will go for 1-1.

But I hope Aidy proves me wrong and can inspire another vital victory. If he does, then he will have demonstrated that Watford really do mean business this season, as these are the games we really must win if we harbour any serious aspirations of aiming for promotion.

Likely teams:

Hull City (4-4-2): Myhill, Lynch, Cort, Collins, Delaney, France, Woodhouse, Welsh, Elliott, Brown, Fagan. Subs: Duke, Joseph, Green, Barmby, Burgess

Watford (4-4-2): Foster, Doyley, Carlisle, DeMerit, Chambers, Devlin, Mahon, Spring, McNamee, King, Young. Subs: Chamberlain, Stewart, Mackay, Bangura, Henderson

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Score prediction: Hull City 1 Watford 1 (Young)