The visitors are searching for their first league win: Watford vs West Ham prediction
The third-round Championship match between Watford and West Ham will take place on 29 August at Vicarage Road. The hosts have collected four points and sit seventh, while one of the leading promotion contenders are still without a league win and occupy 16th place.
Watford: strong league start contrasts with cup disappointment
Watford have made a solid start in the Championship, beating Southampton before drawing 1-1 with Wrexham. However, a heavily rotated Hornets side were thrashed by Peterborough in the League Cup in midweek, once again highlighting the lack of depth in the squad.
Watford lost several important players over the summer, including Nestory Irankunda, while Imran Louza is also preparing to leave. Defence remains an additional concern, with Jeremy Ngakia and Marc Bola unavailable through injury.
West Ham: time to turn favourites' status into points
Nuno Espírito Santo's side were regarded as one of the leading candidates for an immediate return to the Premier League, but they have collected only one point from their opening two matches. In their previous league fixture, West Ham suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Charlton.
However, the cup victory over Southampton was a positive sign ahead of the trip to Watford. The London side also have an excellent record at Vicarage Road, winning their last three visits by an aggregate score of 11-3.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Watford have collected four points from their opening two Championship matches.
- West Ham are without a league win after their first two matches.
- The London side have won their last three matches at Vicarage Road by an aggregate score of 11-3.
The visitors' quality should show: Watford vs West Ham prediction
Watford are capable of causing problems at home and should create chances of their own, especially as West Ham have conceded in all four of their competitive matches this season. However, the hosts' personnel issues and limited squad depth leave them vulnerable against stronger opposition.
After a convincing cup victory, the visitors should approach this match with greater confidence. If West Ham remain disciplined in defence, their attacking quality should be enough to secure a first Championship win.
