Watford can achieve back-to-back away league wins over Bristol City for only the third time in their history this weekend. The Hornets travel to Ashton Gate sitting 17th in the Championship with eight points from seven games, looking to improve a poor recent run of one win in their last five matches.
Their last victory on the road came at this same venue last season, a 2-1 triumph. A repeat would mark just the third occasion Watford have won consecutive league visits to Bristol City, following successes in October 1947 and March 2012. It would also hand the Robins back-to-back league defeats to Watford for the first time since September 2010.
Recent struggles on the road
Watford's overall away form presents a significant hurdle. They have lost seven of their last eight Championship matches away from home, drawing the other. In their last two road trips, against West Brom and Swansea, they failed to score. This poor run contrasts sharply with Bristol City's own difficulties at Ashton Gate, where they have lost six of their last nine league games.
The hosts are also in danger of losing three consecutive league matches for only the second time since the start of 2025, having previously done so in March of this year. Watford's own recent form is mixed, with their last five results reading loss, win, loss, loss, draw.
Key battle in midfield
A fascinating individual duel could develop in midfield. Bristol City's Rio Cardines leads the entire Championship with five assists this season and has created 24 chances. For Watford, Jarrod Bowen possesses a higher expected assists total of 2.9 compared to Cardines' 2.4, suggesting his creative output could be due a boost. Watford will hope top scorer Amin Nabizada, who has three goals this term, can end their away scoring drought. He netted a late consolation in the 2-1 defeat to Stoke City last time out.
Manager Tom Cleverley has several selection issues to ponder ahead of the trip. The club's injury list includes Branimir Mlačić, Edoardo Bove, Jack Grieves, Jeremy Ngakia, Jordan Zemura, and Kwadwo Baah. The full extent of the squad's availability is detailed on our injuries page.
Watford's last result was a 2-1 home defeat to Stoke City on September 12, where Amin Nabizada scored a stoppage-time goal assisted by Edo Kayembe. Before that, they edged Preston North End 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
A victory at Ashton Gate on Saturday would provide a timely lift as Watford seek to climb the Championship table and build momentum. With 8 points from their opening 7 games, they are averaging just over a point per game, a rate they will be keen to improve.
