Watford

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The one thing that all supporters know by now is that Watford never do anything the easy way.

It is becoming a familiar tale that sees the Hornets concede – usually early – and yet find a way to come away with points.

And Watford's 3-2 win against Norwich City was no different.

The victory made it 18 points gained from losing positions so far this season – and while the rollercoaster of emotions is certainly fun when it ends positively, it is a trend that cannot continue if we are to position ourselves as serious play-off contenders.

There are few things that are certain in football but one that is becoming all too familiar is the inevitable Josh Sargent goal for the Canaries when they face Watford.

But once we got that out the way – and the less said about the visitors' second the better – there were positives to take.

While the early stages of the season were dominated by praise for Imran Louza, supporters are finally able to applaud the work of others.

The return of Giorgi Chakvetadze, a headed double from the giant Luca Kjerrumgaard and Othmane Maamma showcasing his youthful, fearless talent are all to be celebrated.

And a word on Jeremy Ngakia. He has had his critics – often rightly so – but the full-back has improved defensively this season and more than stepped up in the attacking third.

Putting together a string of positive results has raised the spirits of the fan base and raised the side up the Championship table.

While we consistently seem to find ourselves floating around the mid-table mark, the points gap to the play-offs is becoming ever smaller.

We are only three points away from a top-six slot, with a midweek fixture against Sheffield Wednesday to come – something that on paper should hopefully see us climb even higher.

But one thing that is for certain after the weekend's action is that there really is only one team in yellow.

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Watford manager Javi Gracia was unhappy with his side's overall performance despite the 3-2 win over Norwich.

The Hornets showing their fighting spirit again to come back twice from a goal down and clinch the three points through Tom Ince's late strike but Gracia was unimpressed.

"In the first half they were better than us. They controlled the game. The best thing for us was the reaction of the team in the second half," he said.

"I'm not so happy today because it's not the way we want to play. We want to play in a constant way, not only in the second 45 minutes. It's something we need to improve in the next games.

"In the first half we were playing without moving the ball quickly and then it's easy for opponents.

"It's hard to come back again but we did it. I'm happy for the result but maybe for other games we didn't win I was happier than today.

"We need to find a better balance to be more competitive."

Fresh from their first home win of the season, Norwich City are looking for back-to-back league victories for the first time since February as they head to Vicarage Road (12:30 GMT).

Watford are unbeaten in their past six league games at home.

• Watford lost this exact fixture 1-0 in February last season, last losing consecutive home league games against Norwich in November 1995.

• None of the past 16 league games between Watford (W9) and Norwich (W7) have been drawn, with the Canaries winning each of the past three.

• Watford have lost just one of their past 10 home league games (W5 D4) and are unbeaten in six since a 1-0 loss against Blackburn in September (W4 D2).

• After a 13-game winless run in the Championship, Norwich beat QPR 3-1 last time out. They last won consecutive league games in January/February last season, the second of which came against Watford.

• Watford have won more points from losing positions than any other side in the Championship this season (15).

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

While there have been plenty of positives since Javi Gracia's return, Watford's 2-1 away loss to Birmingham City felt somewhat deflating.

Three wins, three draws and three defeats is form that most Hornets fans will accept since his homecoming, but our position in a compact league table has slumped in recent weeks.

So, I am going to ignore all that and take a trip down memory lane.

Joao Pedro, Richarlison and Danny Welbeck. What do these players have in common?

They are all at the upper end of the Premier League top-scorers list so far this season – the top 10 to be exact.

And if you extend it slightly further, then you can add Ismaila Sarr to the conversation.

And what else do they have in common? They have all played for Watford.

While it would be disingenuous to suggest that Watford made them what they are today – all four having played for multiple clubs since leaving the Hornets – but for the likes of Pedro and Richarlison, I think most supporters would like to think their time at Vicarage Road played a part in their career to date.

Despite having only scored three goals for Watford, Welbeck sits third in the top flight's top-scorer list this season – and may even have an outside chance of an England call-up for the World Cup, according to some.

Meanwhile, Pedro and Richarlison, who netted a combined 29 times for the Hornets, will both fancy their chances of featuring for Brazil at the competition next summer.

Just to add to the mix, even fellow former Watford striker Keinan Davis is joining in on the goalscoring fun for our old friends Udinese, with only six players having scored more than him in Serie A this season.

For a club like Watford, selling players at the right time and for the right fee – or simply parting ways – is essential.

So, while we would love to say, 'oh what could have been', let's take it as an opportunity to celebrate what our former players have become.

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Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe is set to make his debut at a major international tournament after being named in the DR Congo squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in Morocco later this month.

The 27-year-old was also selected for the last Afcon in January/February 2024 but missed the whole tournament with an injury.

Kayembe, who has made 35 international appearances, is one of five English-based players named in head coach Sebastien Desabre's 26-man squad but the only one from outside the Premier League.

DR Congo open their Afcon campaign against Benin on 23 December before facing Senegal and Botswana in the group stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Watford manager Javi Gracia admits his side are "paying for mistakes" after they were beaten 2-1 at Birmingham City.

Othmane Maamma halved the deficit for the Hornets in the second half after Paik Seung-ho and Demarai Gray put the Blues in front at half time.

Gracia was left frustrated by errors costing the Hornets an "equal" game.

"We knew before coming today would be a tough game," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"In my opinion, it was equal. In the first half, they dominated more than us but we both had good chances.

"We didn't take the chances we had, they did with two great goals. After that, in the second half we played better and had more chances, playing in the opposition half. When you dominate, you have to score and we didn't do it.

"The other team is a good team, there is nothing to say. In terms of chances and possession, it was equal but we are paying for our mistakes."

Gracia says he and his staff will work hard to bounce back.

"We have good players and we are going to insist on our work; I trust my players. We need to be more clinical."

Watford will look to extend their undefeated run to a sixth league game as they make the trip to Birmingham City on Monday (20:00 GMT).

The Hornets have only lost two games since boss Javi Gracia took charge in October (W3 D3), placing them three points short of the top six.

Blues, however, are also chasing a spot in the top six and have won five of their eight home games so far this season (D2 L1).

• Birmingham City have lost 10 of their previous 12 league games against Watford (W1 D1), and failed to win any of the last seven (D1 L6).

• Watford have scored on each of their last six league visits to Birmingham City (W4 D1 L1), winning there most recently in March 2024 (1-0).

• Only Coventry City (20) and Watford (18) have won more points at home in the Championship this season than Birmingham (17), winning each of their last three in a row.

• Watford are unbeaten in their last five league games (W2 D3); they last avoided defeat in six successive matches between November/December 2024.

• Only Imran Louza (10) has been involved in more goals for Watford in the Championship this season than Jeremy Ngakia (5 – 2 goals, 3 assists), with his three assists coming in his last five appearances

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Watford boss Javi Gracia was delighted to see playmaker Giorgi Chakvetadze back on the pitch in Tuesday's draw with Preston.

The Georgia international had not made an appearance for seven months because of a foot problem.

But he was sent on as a substitute in the 74th minute at Vicarage Road - the first chance Gracia has had to watch him in competitive action since returning to the club as head coach.

"When I put Giorgi on the (team) list, I knew in this moment he can only help us 15, maybe 20 minutes, no more," the Spaniard told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"He is not ready to play more, he needs time after coming from a long period out, he needs patience and work, the way he's doing.

"Everyone knows he has high quality and I am really happy for him."

Chakvetadze afterwards admitted he was "so excited" to be back.

"It was really tough and difficult mentally, but I knew it was a long injury and I'm happy to be back," he told the club website.

Watford do not play again until Monday when they will be away to Birmingham City.

Watford boss Javi Gracia says his players should be "disappointed" with their 1-1 draw against Preston North End on Tuesday.

The Hornets came back from behind to claim a point thanks to Mamadou Doumbia's equaliser just before half-time.

However, Gracia feels his side should have taken the win.

"I think all of us today, we have to be disappointed because we wanted the three points after our last game winning away [at Derby]. All the players made a great effort to get the win but in the first half we didn't start well," the Spaniard told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We had a clear chance but the other team was better situated and we didn't adjust our movements to be aggressive and recover the ball in the opposition's half. It was tough for us to manage this first half.

"In the second half it was different and we had more control and more chances and more possession. It was the moment when we had the real chance to win the game.

"But in these moments when you have the momentum to win you have to do it. It is difficult to come back and score two goals. We had more chances than Preston in the most part but we have to be more clinical."

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Watford forward Kwadwo Baah will be out of action until "early in the new year" after suffering a hamstring injury during the 3-2 win at Derby County on Saturday.

Baah went off after 35 minutes at Pride Park and a club statement said he had "damaged his left hamstring, although the problem is not as bad as first feared".

Goalkeeper Egil Selvik, meanwhile, will be out for "at least the next few weeks" because of a shoulder problem.

The Norwegian was ruled out of Tuesday's home game against Preston and has not played since the 1-1 draw with Bristol City on 7 November.

Midfielder playmaker Giorgi Chakvetadze, though, was passed fit for a place on the bench against North End, having been unable to play any part so far this season because of a foot injury.

Such is the volatile nature of the Championship 11th-placed Watford would overtake Preston, who are fifth, with a win on Tuesday night.

That may have seemed an unlikely scenario when Watford were 2-0 down at Derby on Saturday before scoring twice in the final five minutes to complete a 3-2 comeback win.

Preston are looking to avoid going three league games without a win for the first time this season.

• Watford lost this exact fixture 2-1 last season, last losing consecutive home league games against Preston in August 2005.

• Preston did the league double over Watford last season, having won just two of their previous 13 against the Hornets beforehand (D6 L5).

• Having lost their first four home league games in 2025, Watford have since lost three of their last 15 at Vicarage Road (W8 D4), winning four of their last five (D1).

• When they've not kept a clean sheet, Preston have won just one of their last 31 away league games (D9 L21), though that was a 2-1 victory at Watford in January last season.

• Watford's Imran Louza has been involved in seven goals in his last seven home league games (3 goals, 4 assists), as many as he had in his previous 34 appearances at Vicarage Road.

Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe admitted he had surprised himself with a rare headed goal which sealed a 3-2 win against Derby County at Pride Park.

The DR Congo international also converted a penalty as the Hornets came from 2-0 down to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

"It was a good goal because it was my first time to score with a header," Kayembe told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"It was a good feeling. Zigor (Aranalde), our assistant head coach, told me in training to go to attack this area. It was a good delivery from Imran (Louza) and I'm just happy to score and change the game."

Team-mate Louza scored from the spot during last month's game against Coventry but was willing to step aside to allow Kayembe to put Watford back on level terms with just five minutes to go.

"Normally he takes them if I'm not on the pitch. But we decided before the game that if we had a penalty I was going to take it and if I score and we had another one, I was going to take that as well," Kayembe said.

Watford are 11th in the Championship going into Tuesday's home fixture against Preston North End.

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Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Now that is what football is all about.

Football is about moments, and there is nothing much sweeter in the beautiful game than completing a 2-0 turnaround in a matter of minutes.

It was Edo Kayembe of all players who led the charge. Two late goals in the space of three minutes from the Congolese midfielder sealed Watford's first victory away from home in a long, long time.

The game, even perhaps the whole season, would have had a completely different feel to it had we not completed the comeback to win 3-2 against Derby County.

We risked dropping unnervingly close to the relegation zone with what seemed like another inevitable away defeat. And yet instead, the victory puts the Hornets just two points outside the play-offs, with a chance to leapfrog Preston on Tuesday.

While there is no denying there remains plenty of work for Javi Gracia to do with the largely youthful squad to reach its full potential, the win highlighted positives to take as we enter a festive period where fixtures come thick and fast.

Gracia's faith in youth, including a first start for newly crowned CAF Young Player of the Year, Othmane Maamma, gives hope the manager may be in the dugout longer than most before him.

While the absence of goalkeeper Egil Selvik is a blow to the team, it is hard to criticise Nathan Baxter's performance between the sticks.

The goalkeeper swap was one of five changes made for the match, but the team spirit was definitely still on display.

It has been some time since the travelling Hornets supporters were treated to an away win, let alone one in that fashion, but that is what makes it all worth it in the end.

Watford head coach Javi Gracia said his players showed great attitude to come from two goals down and win at Derby County.

He told BBC Three Counties Radio: "The game was tough. To win away after a long time not winning away, around 270 days, we are really happy. To do it after conceding two goals and keep doing our job,following the plan, with the reward of three points, is something amazing for us.

"My players showed great attitude until the end and I'm happy for the supporters who enjoyed winning with the team.

"If you analyse their goals today, one is from a rebound and the second from a very good free kick and good header, and we didn't deserve it in that moment to be losing the game 2-0.

"We had more possession, and more shots on target and played a good game, knowing Derby were coming from five wins in a row and that it would be very tough."

If you're wondering where your team is going to finish in the Championship this season, you no longer need to worry.

Well, kind of.

Opta's supercomputer has worked its magic to figure out the most likely final league position of every team - and the chances each has of being promoted, making the play-offs or getting relegated.

Who is most likely to win automatic promotion?

It will come as no surprise that leaders Coventry are heavy favourites for the title (69.3%) and also have the highest chance of automatic promotion (84.2%) to the Premier League.

The next most likely to go straight up, with a 30.8% chance, are Middlesbrough. Despite currently sitting seventh and six points behind Boro in second, Ipswich are expected to be the third favourites for a top two finish (18.9%) followed by Stoke (14.1%).

Even though they've each enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, Preston (10.3%), Hull (6.1%) and Millwall (8.3%) have slimmer chances of finishing in an automatic promotion spot.

Who will make the play-offs?

Image source, Rex Features

Even if Coventry don't win automatic promotion, Opta's supercomputer has given the Sky Blues a 97.9% chance of a top-six finish, suggesting it's almost guaranteed.

Each of Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Preston and Stoke are expected to finish in a minimum of a play-off position at least one in two times.

Hull might feel the hardest done by as they sit fifth currently, but are said to have less chance (32.3%) than Millwall (38.8%) and Charton (32.4%), who are below them in the table.

The most likely of the chasing pack to make a surge up the table are 12th-placed Leicester City, who have been given a 31.8% chance of finishing in the top six and are more likely than Bristol City (28.9%), Derby (22.9%) and Birmingham (19.9%).

Last season's beaten play-off finalists Sheffield United have just a 1.8% chance of recovering their season to make the play-offs again, while relegated Premier League side Southampton (12.5%) aren't likely to either... if you trust the supercomputer!

Who is going down?

Image source, Rex Features

It's probably not hard to work out who is most likely to finish bottom and be relegated to League One.

Sheffield Wednesday's 12-point deduction, which has left them 17 points adrift of safety on -4 points, means they're pretty much nailed on to finish bottom (84.8%) - and failing that, are almost certain to go down (98.2%).

Second from bottom Norwich are the next most likely candidates to fall through the trap door (58.5%) but Sheffield United, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, have just a 22.4% chance of going down and are considered more likely to stay up than Oxford (37.8%) and Portsmouth (31.3%).

Derby County return to action after the international break to go in search of a sixth straight Championship win when they welcome Watford to Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Rams have climbed into the top-10, within two points of the play-off places, having gone five games without a win prior to this run to drop to 21st.

The Hornets are the only side in the division without an away win this season, taking three points from their seven matches on the road in total but went into the break unbeaten in three games to lie 15th, two points behind County.

• Derby County have lost their past four Championship matches against Watford, losing both at Pride Park in this run without scoring a goal (0-1 in 2020/21, 0-2 in 2024/25).

• Watford are looking to win three consecutive away league games against Derby for the first time – they've also kept a clean sheet in their past two, having conceded in each of their first 20 visits.

• Despite having the fewest shots in the Championship this season (127), Derby County are on a five-match winning run. The Rams last won six league games in a row between December 2022 and February 2023 in League One, while in the Championship they last did so between October and December 2016 (7).

• Watford's Imrân Louza has been involved in 11 goals in his past 14 Championship appearances (6 goals, 5 assists), including scoring or assisting in each of his past five games (4 goals, 1 assist).

• Derby's Carlton Morris is the joint leading scorer in the Championship this season with 10 goals, scoring five in November alone. It's the most Championship goals by a Rams player in one month since Matej Vydra scored five in November 2017, while since 2004/05 only Chris Martin has scored more in a single month – seven in December 2013.

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Watford winger Othmane Maamma has been named CAF Young Player of the Year, an award which recognises emerging African talent.

The 20-year-old beat off competition from Ajax U21 midfielder Abdellah Ouazane and Queens Park Rangers U21 defender Tylon Smith to win the trophy.

Maamma helped Morocco win the U20 World Cup this year and was named the tournament's best player as they beat Argentina 2-0 in the final in Santiago last month.

The former Montpellier forward has made two Championship appearances for Watford since joining them in July but is yet to start a game.

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Watford boss Javi Gracia is unsure if goalkeeper Egil Selvik will be fit to face Derby when the Hornets return to Championship action on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Norwegian international picked up a shoulder injury in their 1-1 draw with Bristol City earlier this month and had to withdraw from the Norway squad for their recent World Cup qualifiers.

"We will see how he is, he feels well but we are expecting some test results," Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"After being with his national team he felt something similar he did in the last game."

Selvik has missed only one of Watford's league games so far this season but Gracia admits it is touch-and-go as to whether he will make the trip to Pride Park.

If the 28-year-old is not declared fit to play then Nathan Baxter, who has made one league start this term, is expected to take the gloves.

"He is training, not with the team, but he is training and he feels well - I'm not sure if he will be ready for the next game," Gracia added.

Watford are 15th in the Championship and unbeaten in their past three games.

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Watford are really close to being a decent Championship team. But the nagging feeling remains this young group under progressive head coach Javi Gracia probably need another 12-18 months together before we see the best of them.

The problem with that is some of the talent may not still be at the club and the other problem is nor may the head coach.

That's not to say Gracia's done much wrong since taking over in October - far from it. The performances have improved under the Spaniard. It's just what history tells us about the Hornets.

Imran Louza has been the pick of the bunch. He's matured since his early days when his out-of-possession work let down his overall game. This season he's been excellent, dictating play and scoring crucial goals.

Already we've seen further potential in Nestory Irankunda, Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia and plenty of others. There is undoubted talent and Giorgi Chakvetadze should be back soon and he is the best of the lot.

But glimpses and flashes of ability are not quite enough at this level. And as can be the case with young teams they are making mistakes.

It tends to be in decision-making and turning over too often.

Sometimes this Watford team require a bit more patience and recognise they do not always need to beat their man. A simpler pass can be the better option and you can see Gracia getting frustrated by this in the technical area.

With January not far away, Watford could do with a left-footed centre-back, a dynamic central midfielder and a striker - all with experience.

But the current transfer policy is more about discovering teenage unpolished gems such as Othmane Maamma.

You cannot help feeling Gracia must be a bit frustrated when you compare his Premier League Watford side, which was a team packed with elite players, with this raw group who could eventually end up reaching that level.

Nearly a third of the way through the season it feels like Watford could get involved in the play-off race but might just fall short.

In an ideal world, Gracia would continue to develop this potentially exciting bunch, have a full pre-season and go again next campaign.

If he can and if he can keep the majority of this team you would strongly fancy their chances next time round; Gracia is a top-class coach.

But that's a long-term strategy at a club which has a tendency to think short term.