2026-27 Sky Bet Championship: Week Eight – Friday

Bristol City meet Watford in the opening game of matchweek eight in the 2026-27 Sky Bet Championship.

Victory would lift Bristol City up to fifth in the table, whilst Watford can climb to ninth with a win by a single goal although a winning margin or two or more goals could put the Hornets as high as seventh.

 

Team News

Rob Dickie is ruled out for Bristol City after he suffered ankle and knee injuries in their 1-0 home defeat against Lincoln City on Tuesday evening.

Luke McNally (fitness) and Brian De Keersmaecker (shoulder) remain absent despite having both stepped up their fitness training with an appearance for the Under-21s this week.

Watford will be without defender, Jordan Zemura after he suffered a thigh injury during their 2-1 home loss to Stoke.

Martin Payero (adductor), is unlikely to be fit for selection but Edoardo Bove (knee), Kwadwo Baah (thigh), Marc Bola (hamstring), Branimir Mlacic (calf), Travis Akomeah (foot),

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bristol City host Watford at Ashton Gate on Friday 18 September at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Bristol City have won just two of their last 10 league meetings against Watford (W2, D4, L4).
• Watford have won one of their last six visits to Bristol City (W1, D3, L2).
• Bristol City are looking to avoid suffering consecutive home defeats against Watford for the first time since 2010-11 & 11-12 seasons.
• Bristol City have failed to score in two of their three league games at home this season (W1, L2).
• Watford are yet to win away from home this season in the Championship (D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Wasteful finishing has summed up Bristol City’s last two matches with just one goal from 39 shots so more composure is absolutely required if they’re win here, as they otherwise could of got a point against Lincoln City if not for a ruthlessly punished defensive error.

Watford meanwhile have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and with an injury crisis, they really need to find a way to improve out of possession because they do have a decent attack when on the ball but just struggle when it comes to the defensive work.

My instinct therefore is that this won’t be a particularly exciting game but surely Bristol City’s end product must click soon, especially with an international break on the horizon but a draw feels likely.

Prediction: Bristol City 1-1 Watford