Watford FC vs Cardiff City FC, 2018-19 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Watford FC vs Cardiff City FC — Premier League at Vicarage Road Stadium.
- Watford FC 0 games · 0 pts (2026/27)
- Cardiff City FC 0 games · 0 pts (2026/27)
Match Details
- Referee Matthew Wilkes
- Referee Andy Madley
- Referee Mick McDonough
- Referee Andre Marriner
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Ham United FC | 38 | 39 |
| 2 | Burnley FC | 38 | 22 |
| 3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 38 | 20 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Coventry City FC | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Hull City AFC | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Ipswich Town FC | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Arsenal FC | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Manchester City FC | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Manchester United FC | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Liverpool FC | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | AFC Bournemouth | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Sunderland AFC | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Brentford FC | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Chelsea FC | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Fulham FC | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Newcastle United FC | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Everton FC | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Leeds United FC | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Crystal Palace FC | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Nottingham Forest FC | 0 | 0 |
Head-to-Head
Last 5 meetings
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec | Cardiff City FC | H | 3–2 | W |
| 10 Dec | Everton FC | A | 2–2 | D |
| 04 Dec | Manchester City FC | H | 1–2 | L |
| 01 Dec | Leicester City FC | A | 0–2 | L |
| 24 Nov | Liverpool FC | H | 0–3 | L |
| 10 Nov | Southampton FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec | Watford FC | A | 2–3 | L |
| 08 Dec | Southampton FC | H | 1–0 | W |
| 04 Dec | West Ham United FC | A | 1–3 | L |
| 30 Nov | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | H | 2–1 | W |
| 24 Nov | Everton FC | A | 0–1 | L |
| 10 Nov | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | H | 2–1 | W |
Key Stats
80%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (10 games)
H2H (10 games)
60%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
Events
Match Events
- 0' Here we go! The referee blows the whistle and Watford FC launch into their encounter with Cardiff City FC.
- 5' The clock is ticking and both teams know a goal could change everything at this point.
- 10' Watford FC currently sit in the Array table. A result here could be decisive in the race for the top positions.
- 15' The referee is likely to let players tackle, as he already missed some meaty challenges during opening seconds. He is still to establish what should not be done by the players and what is acceptable on the pitch. It’s going to be a tough game for Gerard Deulofeu suffering a number of foals already.
- 16' Brilliant from the ! Gerard Deulofeu makes it 1-0 with a superb finish on 16.
- 21' The midfield battle is intense right now. Both Watford FC and Cardiff City FC are fighting for every inch of the pitch.
- 26' Watford FC are keeping things exceptionally tight at the back. It will take something special to break them down.
- 31' Watford FC are deployed in a today, looking to exploit space against Cardiff City FC's shape.
- 36' A quiet spell here at Vicarage Road Stadium. Cardiff City FC seem content sitting deep and soaking up pressure.
- 41' will be watching from the dugout nervously. His Watford FC side need to improve if they are to claim all three points.
- 46' Cardiff City FC make a change. Josh Murphy trudges off to be replaced by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on 46 minutes.
- 51' It is a cagey affair so far. Watford FC in their trying to find a way past Cardiff City FC's compact .
- 52' Goal! Jose Holebas scores his 4 goal in 358 matches.
- 57' The 36-year-old Harry Arter has been sensational this season — 0 goals and 0 assists is a remarkable return.
- 59' The whistle greets Joe Bennett as he departs to be replaced by Lee Peltier.
- 64' A tactical chess match is unfolding here. The question is which manager blinks first.
- 68' What a strike from Quina! The score is 3-0.
- 73' We miss some good tackles and strikes. Is there anyone on the field to put the game back to action?
- 77' The Watford FC bench stirs into life. Ken Sema is withdrawn and Isaac Success gets his opportunity.
- 78' Another change for Cardiff City FC made on 78 minute. Aron Einar Gunnarsson leaves to be changed by Bobby Reid.
- 80' Magnificent from Junior Hoilett! That is 23 goals in 372 appearances — and it could not have come at a better time.
- 81' Stefano Okaka has so much to prove this time. He replaces Troy Deeney on 81 minute.
- 82' The deadlock is broken! Bobby Reid gets on the scoresheet on 82 minutes.
- 87' Tom Cleverley is replacing Gerard Deulofeu for the Watford FC side.
- With this win, Watford FC is likely to improve its situation in the overall team standings.
Lineups
Watford FC Lineups
Starting XI
-
12
Ken Sema ↓ Isaac Success 77'
- 26
- 15
- 25
- 27
- 16
- 37
- 21
-
9
Troy Deeney C ↓ Stefano Okaka 81'
-
7
Gerard Deulofeu ↓ Tom Cleverley 87'
- 20
Bench
- 11
- 1
- 6
-
8
Tom Cleverley ↑ 87'
- 14
-
33
Stefano Okaka ↑ 81'
-
10
Isaac Success ↑ 77'
Coach
Javi Gracia
Cardiff City FC Lineups
Starting XI
- 17
- 11
- 1
- 4
- 5
-
3
Joe Bennett ↓ Lee Peltier 59'
- 22
- 13
- 33
- 7
- 21
Bench
- 12
-
14
Bobby Reid ↑ 78'
-
2
Lee Peltier ↑ 59'
- 8
- 23
-
19
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing ↑ 46'
- 10
Coach
Neil Warnock
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Gerard Deulofeu | 4 |
| Ismaila Sarr | 3 |
| Cedric Kipre | 3 |
| Callum Robinson | 2 |
| Francisco Sierralta | 2 |
| Vakoun Issouf Bayo | 2 |
| Troy Deeney | 2 |
| Nathaniel Chalobah | 1 |
Head to Head
Watford FC Form
Cardiff City FC Form
2018-12-15
Watford FC
3–2
Cardiff City FC
L
2018-12-08
Cardiff City FC
1–0
Southampton FC
W
2018-12-04
West Ham United FC
3–1
Cardiff City FC
L
2018-11-30
Cardiff City FC
2–1
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
W
2018-11-24
Everton FC
1–0
Cardiff City FC
L
2018-11-10
Cardiff City FC
2–1
Brighton & Hove Albion FC
W
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
3 / 4
1.91
Watford FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.48
Cardiff City FC xG
I would bet for:
Both teams to score 66% + Over 2.5 goals 65%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Watford FC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 3.39
Actual: Yes — both scored
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 95% |
|
5% |
| ± 1.5 | 85% |
|
15% |
| ± 2.5 | 65% |
|
35% |
| ± 3.5 | 44% |
|
56% |
| ± 4.5 | 26% |
|
74% |
Double Chance
Watford FC or Draw
72%
Draw or Cardiff City FC
52%
Watford FC or Cardiff City FC
76%
Half-Time Result
✗ WrongActual: Watford FC win at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
10.4%
2 – 1
8.8%
1 – 2
6.8%
2 – 2
6.4%
2 – 0
6.2%
1 – 0
5.8%
3 – 1
5.6%
0 – 0
4.8%
0 – 1
4.3%
3 – 2
Actual
3 – 0
3.8%
0 – 2
3.7%
Asian Handicap — Watford FC
| Handicap | Watford FC covers | Push | Cardiff City FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 12% | — | 88% |
| -2 | 12% | 14% | 73% |
| -1.5 | 27% | — | 73% |
| -1 | 27% | 20% | 53% |
| -0.5 | 47% | — | 53% |
| +0.5 | 71% | — | 29% |
| +1 | 71% | 15% | 14% |
| +1.5 | 86% | — | 14% |
| +2 | 86% | 9% | 5% |
| +2.5 | 95% | — | 5% |
Clean Sheet
Watford FC keeps clean sheet
24%
✓
Cardiff City FC keeps clean sheet
16%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.