Thursday’s narrow defeat to Stoke was Hull’s fourth home league defeat of the season
Watford have won each of their last four games
Recommended bet: Watford to win
Hull welcome Watford to the MKM Stadium on Sunday with the two teams having experienced contrasting fortunes on New Year’s Day.
While the Tigers were slumping to a 1-0 home defeat to Stoke, the Hornets were thrashing Birmingham 3-0 at Vicarage Road to climb up to fourth in the table.
The latest Hull vs. Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic is having to deal with an extensive list of absentees. Leading goalscorer Joe Gelhardt and versatile defender Brandon Williams are both nursing calf strains, while Ryan Giles missed the meeting with Stoke due to a hamstring problem.
John Lundstram requires further rehabilitation time despite being out since the end of November, but Belgian midfielder Eliot Matazo is close to full fitness following a cruciate ligament tear.
Mohamed Belloumi remains a doubt after being forced off after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day, while Nigerian Semi Ajayi is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Watford are without Mali forward Mamadou Doumbia and Congolese ace Edo Kayembe, who are at AFCON, while skilful playmaker Rocco Vata faces an extended spell on the sidelines with a hamstring tear.
Pierre Dwomoh has not yet recovered from a niggling thigh issue, and Caleb Wiley’s stop-start season continues after he aggravated an adductor injury.
However, young attacker Kwadwo Baah returned to action as a late substitute on New Year's Day.
The latest Hull vs. Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
Only second-placed Ipswich and runaway leaders Coventry have scored more than Hull's tally of 40.
Watford have won their last four games to climb up to fourth in the Championship, one place above Hull on goal difference.
Three of the Hornets' recent victories have been to nil, having kept only one clean sheet since the start of the season before this hot streak.
Hull have won seven of their 13 home games in the Championship, but have last four with their last match at the MKM Stadium ending in a 1-0 defeat to Stoke on New Year's Day.
Watford have drawn two and won three of the last five meetings between these two sides, including a 2-1 home success in the reverse fixture in September.
Only QPR (39) and Sheffield Wednesday (48) have conceded more goals than Hull (38) in the Championship so far this season.
The latest Hull vs. Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
With both teams having delivered a positive sequence of results of late, we should be in for a cracking contest.
Hull have had no issues going forward this term, but an appalling defensive record has served to hamper their progress.
Only rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday and an inconsistent QPR outfit have conceded on more occasions, although the Tigers’ backline is not as fragile as it was in the opening months of the campaign.
Watford now appear to be serious promotion contenders following a run of four straight wins that has propelled them to fourth place.
A resounding 3-0 triumph over Birmingham City — ironically the last team to beat Watford back in early December — underlined their intent, helped by a sensational performance from hat-trick hero Tom Ince.
That victory came while Hull were suffering a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stoke at the MKM Stadium on New Year's Day, and their hangover may not yet be over.
Back Watford to win at 6/4 with LiveScore Bet.
The latest Hull vs. Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
