Watford vs Birmingham City Prediction and Betting Tips | 1st January 2026

Watford play Birmingham City in the EFL Championship on Thursday, New Year's Day, looking to extend their winning run in the competition to four games. The Hornets have recovered from back-to-back draws with three wins in a row, beating Stoke City and Norwich City in a pair of 1-0 triumphs on either side of a narrow 2-1 win over Leicester City.

This upturn in form has seen them rise to sixth place in the Championship table with 38 points from 24 games, as Watford are back among the promotion playoff spots.

In the club's fourth consecutive season in the second tier, the Hertfordshire outfit have shown great improvement since the lows of last season when they finished in 14th place.

Meanwhile, Birmingham are down in 15th place in the league table with only eight wins from 24 games and 31 points in the bag - just six above relegation. The Blues are on a rough patch right now, going their last five matches without a win and moving closer to the bottom.

Having been relegated from the Championship last season, a second consecutive relegation would be a nightmare scenario for a side that has never experienced the prospect before.

Watford vs Birmingham City Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

• There have been 53 clashes between the sides in the past, with Watford winning 25 times over Birmingham and losing on 18 occasions.
• Birmingham City's 2-1 win over Watford at the start of the month ended their seven-game wait for a win in this fixture. They had previously beaten the Hornets in November 2014.
• The Blues haven't beaten Watford consecutively since a run of three wins between February 2002 and April 2009.
• Birmingham City are winless in their last five Championship matches. Watford are unbeaten in their last six in the competition.
• Watford haven't failed to score against Birmingham City in their last 13 matches.

Watford vs Birmingham City Prediction

Watford are on an upward spiral right now, winning their last couple of league fixtures and going unbeaten for a good period too.

Birmingham have largely struggled this month but will look back upon their earlier meeting with the Hornets for inspiration, although it may not be enough to spark their best here.

Prediction: Watford 2-1 Birmingham City

Watford vs Birmingham City Betting Tips

Tip 1 - Result: Watford to win

Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes

Edited by Peter P