Watford play host to Cardiff City on Wednesday evening knowing that victory will keep the club very much in contention for a Championship playoff spot.

At a time when they Hornets sit in 12th place in the standings, four points adrift of sixth, Cardiff only remain outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Match preview

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Amid speculation of yet another managerial change at Watford, there was plenty of attention on Chris Wilder at the weekend as he bids to keep his side in the playoff race.

The former Sheffield United boss has not had the desired effect at Vicarage Road, yet a timely 2-0 victory over Bristol City has kept the Hornets clinging onto hope of achieving a playoff spot.

With a relegation candidate, a direct rival and two clubs will little to play left on their schedule, Wilder will feel that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they can collect the minimum 10 points from four games to keep their hopes alive.

Watford have generally failed to sufficiently impress in home fixtures this campaign, particularly most recently, but they have still collected 36 points from 21 games, the seventh-best haul in the second tier.

They have also conceded just four times in five outings, three of those goals coming in the defeat to Huddersfield Town, although the clean sheet on Saturday ended a run of seven goals being shipped in three matches.

From Cardiff's perspective, successive defeats to Sunderland and Sheffield United have left them fearing for their second-tier future when it had previously seemed that they were ready to move clear of the drop zone.

Sabri Lamouchi recently delivered 13 points during an eight-game spell, but defeats either side of that run means that he has only delivered a point per game during his 13 fixtures in charge.

With a match in hand, Cardiff's fate remains in their own hands, yet the likes of Rotherham United, in their rearranged abandoned game, and Huddersfield Town remain on their schedule.

That double-header could prove to be pivotal come the end of the season, although Lamouchi knows that a share of the spoils in Hertfordshire, and retaining the best goal difference among their rivals, could go a long way to retaining their Championship status.

Team News

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Ismael Kone appears likely to come into the Watford midfield having replaced Leandro Bacuna at half time versus Bristol City.

Barring any fitness issues, the remainder of the side could stay the same with youngster Ryan Andrews continuing to impress at right-back.

With Callum O'Dowda proving his fitness during the second half at Sheffield United, the versatile Irishman could be restored at left wing-back for Cardiff ahead of Joe Ralls.

Lamouchi may switch Ralls into central midfield, depending on what formation that he chooses to deploy, but Romaine Sawyers and Sheyi Ojo are also in contention for recalls.

The latter could be used on the left flank of the attack in place of Kion Etete.

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Andrews, Porteous, Hoedt, Kamara; Sarr, Kone, Choudhury, Louza, Pedro; Davis

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; McGuinness, Kipre, Simpson; Ng, Rinomhota, Wintle, O'Dowda; Philogene, Kaba, Ojo

We say: Watford 2-0 Cardiff City

Cardiff have lost all momentum under Lamouchi at the wrong time when Watford may be increasingly optimistic about a late charge. With that in mind, we are backing the home side to produce a professional performance to record three points and a clean sheet.

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