Prediction: Watford vs Hull City

Verdict: Watford win

Best Rating: 7/10

Bookmaker:

Looking to mark their return to Championship duties with a flurry at Vicarage Road, Watford host Hull on Sunday afternoon.

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Starting with the hosts, while Watford could have marked their return to the Championship with a slow start to the 2022/23 campaign, it looks like Slaven Bilic's new side have put those problems behind them. In a friendly on December 3 as they won a superb 4-2 against Premier League leaders Arsenal, the former West Ham boss will call his side to score a marker on Sunday afternoon. Looking to catch up in pursuit of the top two and with a return to the Premier League high on their agenda, the Hornets mark their return to action with just one defeat in one of their previous six second-place contests level. Sitting in pole position to claim a play-off spot this season, Bilic should also be excited about his side's success at home. Including a crushing 4-0 win over Luton on October 23, it's worth noting that Watford have taken nine points from their last four Championship appearances at Vicarage Road.

Team News

Having been part of a Senegal side that reached the knockout stage of this winter's World Cup, Watford are hoping Ismaila Sarr can play on Sunday afternoon. Keinan Davis will likely lead the line for Bilic's side at Vicarage Road.

Still struggling with a long-lasting Achilles tendon injury, the Hornets will once again be without former Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling.

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When it comes to the visitors, last seen in the league on November 12 when they were hit by a 2-1 home defeat to Reading, Hull look destined for another relegation slump this season. Although the Yorkshire-based side may have secured an action-packed 3-2 victory in Cardiff last month, it seems it was just a small boost for Liam Rosenior's new side . Opening this weekend's matches holding just one buffer point to slip into the last three, the former Derby manager knows he has a real job on his hands at the MKM stadium. Having won just one of their previous five Championship appearances before the winter break, Hull are set to face a tough challenge on Sunday afternoon. Earning a reputation for their protracted problems at the back since the opener of the 2022/23 campaign, the Tigers have registered only one domestic clean sheet so far this season.

Team News

Hull will be without attacking talisman Oscar Estupinan again on Sunday afternoon, with the 25-year-old still serving a suspension.

Potentially looking to make some changes on their return to action here, Chelsea players Xavier Simons and Harvey Vale could feature here.

Key Factors to Consider When the two sides last met in 2017, Hull cruised to a 2-0 win at home while in charge in the Premier League. However, the Tigers mark their return to action this weekend with just one victory in one of their last five Championship clashes. Watford have collected nine points in their last four Championships at Vicarage Road. Including a 4-2 friendly win over Premier League leaders Arsenal on December 3, Watford have lost just one of their last seven encounters in any format. Hull have recorded just one clean sheet in the Championship throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Conclusion

With their aim to clinch an immediate return to the Premier League this season, Watford should be confident of putting down a scorer on Sunday afternoon. Marking their return to action with just one loss in one of their last five championships, the Hornets have also impressed at home this season. Picking up nine points from their last four second-tier encounters at Vicarage Road, Hull should brace themselves for a tough test here. Battling at the foot of the table and in the thick of another relegation fight, Sunday's guests continued to show a series of problems at the back. Having suffered a 1-0 defeat on their last trip to Hertfordshire, we back a similar win at home here.

Verdict: Watford win

Best Rating: 7/10

Bookmaker: