Watford vs Birmingham City prediction, odds & betting tips – 01/01/2026
Javi Garcia looks on during Watford game - IMAGO / Sportimage
🔥 Our Hot tip

Both teams to score - Yes

Birmingham have scored in nine of their last 10 games. Watford have scored in seven of their last nine games.

Watford will look to make it four wins in a row when they take on Birmingham City on New Year's Day in the Championship at Vicarage Road.

View our Watford vs Birmingham City predictions below.

Watford vs Birmingham City prediction: Away side struggling

Key stats

  • Watford have won three games in a row and have not lost in the last six.
  • Birmingham are without a win in their last six games.
  • There have been over 4.5 cards in each of the last five games for the Blues.

Correct score prediction: Watford 2-1 Birmingham City

Watford are currently sixth in the Championship table and have found momentum, winning their last three games under Javi Garcia.

The Hornets have lost just once in their last 12 matches, and they are only five points behind second-placed Middlesbrough.

While Watford have conceded the first goal in seven of their past nine games, they should be confident of scoring against Birmingham, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 games.

Keeping the recent forms in mind, and Watford's impressive record against them at home, we predict a 2-1 victory for the Hornets.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Watford marginal favourite

HOME: 11/8 (2.38) – 42%

DRAW: 12/5 (3.4) – 29.4%

AWAY: 19/10 (2.9) – 34.5%

*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Watford have been impressive lately and are undefeated in their last six games, and as a result, the bookmakers have placed them as favourites to win the game.

The Hornets are placed at 11/8 (2.38) with 42% chances of winning the game.

Birmingham have not kept a clean sheet in their last 13 games against Watford, and they are placed at 19/10 (2.9) with 34.5% chances of winning.

Both teams have been scoring and conceding goals in recent matches; therefore, BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.8) is really tempting.

Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Watford vs Birmingham City predictions.

Most recent H2Hs: Watford hold slight advantage

In the previous meeting between the two sides, Birmingham won 2-1 at home. However, they have not kept a clean sheet against Watford in their past 13 meetings.

Watford have won three of their past five meetings against Birmingham and all of their last five at Vicarage Road.

England Championship 01/12/25

Birmingham

Birmingham

2
Watford

Watford

1

England Championship 29/11/25

Birmingham

Birmingham

0
Watford

Watford

0

England Championship 16/03/24

Birmingham

Birmingham

0
Watford

Watford

1

England Championship 16/09/23

Watford

Watford

2
Birmingham

Birmingham

0

England Championship 14/03/23

Watford

Watford

3
Birmingham

Birmingham

0

Watford preview: Can they maintain good form?

Watford will be without the services of Mamadou Doumbia, who is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Mali.

The Hornets will also miss Rocco Vata (hamstring) and Kwado Baah (hamstring), both of whom are currently sidelined.

Predicted lineups: Selvik (GK), Ngakia, Pollock, Alleyne, Bola, Ince, Kyprianou, Louza, Maamma, Chakvetadze & Semedo

Last five fixtures

  • Norwich 0-1 Watford
  • Leicester 1-2 Watford
  • Watford 1-0 Stoke City
  • Wrexham 2-2 Watford
  • Watford 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Birmingham City preview: Can they return to winning ways?

The visitors are without Tommy Doyle and Christoph Klarer, with the pair serving suspensions for red cards picked up over the festive period.

However, Alex Cochrane could return to left-back from an ankle problem.

Predicted lineups: Allsop (GK), Sampsted, Neumann, Robinson, Cashin, Iwata, Leonard, Roberts, Stansfield, Koumas & Kyogo

Last five fixtures

  • Birmingham 1-1 Southampton
  • Birmingham 1-1 Derby
  • Sheffield United 3-0 Birmingham
  • Birmingham 1-1 Charlton Athletic
  • QPR 2-1 Birmingham

Player to watch: Imran Louza

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has been in terrific form for Watford this season.

The Moroccan has scored six goals and registered six assists in 21 Championship games this season, and Watford will hope that he will deliver yet again.

Watford vs Birmingham City
Imran Louza playing for Watford – photo by IMAGO / NurPhoto

Saikat is a freelance Sports Journalist with over ten years of experience covering football (and other sports) for various publications including GRV Media, Rocket Sports Network, Breaking Media, and Football Whispers. Saikat also has a keen interest in F1, cricket, and tennis and has taken face to face interviews of footballers such as Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler.