Bristol City v Watford predictions, betting tips and bet builder &#8211; Can rampant Riis net again?

Feb 27, 2026 - 07:45

Bristol City and Watford go head to head at Ashton Gate on Friday night for a huge Championship clash between two teams with playoff ambitions.

Bristol City v Watford best bets

Bristol City to win and both teams to score at 4/1 with Sky Bet
Emil Riis to score at 9/4 with Sky Bet
Nestory Irankunda to be booked at 7/2 with Sky Bet
Bristol City to win, both teams to score, Riis to score, Irankunda carded at 28/1 with Midnite

Bristol City v Watford latest odds

Find the latest Bristol City v Watford betting odds here, odds courtesy of Sky Bet and are subject to change.

Bristol City – 13/10
Draw – 23/10
Watford – 19/10

Bristol City v Watford prediction

Bristol City will head into Friday night’s Championship clash in buoyant mood following their 2-1 win at Blackburn on Tuesday night which shot them into eighth place in the table just four points off the top six.

Gerhard Struber’s side have suffered from inconsistency through the out the campaign, with three wins and three defeats in their last seven matches but have still managed to keep in touching distance on the playoff positions.

The Robins head into the clash having lost only one of their last four matches, but haven’t strung together back to back wins since Boxing Day, a run they’ll be looking to put right against opposition they demolished 5-1 win the FA Cup last month.

Watford will be looking to get back to winning ways on Friday night after falling to a 2-0 home defeat by automatic promotion chasing Ipswich on Tuesday, leaving them with just one win from their last 10 matches in all competitions ahead of their trip to the West Country.

That run started with a heavy loss at Ashton Gate in the Cup back in January after a run of four consecutive wins, and the Hornets will be hoping they can go full circle and end their current winless run with victory in Bristol this time out.

Edward Still will be taking charge of just his fourth match since taking over at Watford on Saturday, having so far won one, drawn one and lost one in his first three outings, leaving the Hertfordshire side 12th in the table but only two points off their opponents on Friday, and will climb into the top seven, for the time being at least, with a win.

The Robins will have renewed sense of optimism following their midweek win which has seen them climb within two places of the top six, and will spurred on by vociferous home support to try and urge them over the line as they hunt the playoffs for a second successive season.

Only Sheffield Wednesday have won fewer matches away from home this season than Watford, who are winless in their last seven visits to Ashton Gate, and one win in their last 10 in all competitions makes leads me to predict a 2-1 home win on Friday night.

Bristol City v Watford betting tips

Robins to build on Watford’s worries

Bristol City’s away win on Tuesday leaves them two places outside the top six ahead of their visit of a Watford side with just one win in their last 10 and without a win from their last seven visits to Ashton Gate, including a 5-1 defeat in the FA Cup last month.

Only already relegated Sheffield Wednesday have won fewer matches away from home in the Championship than the Hornets this season.

Bristol City to win and both teams to score at 4/1 with Sky Bet

Rampant Riis in the goals again

Emil Riis scored his 12th goal of the season in Tuesday night’s win at Blackburn, leaving him with at least three more goals than any other player across either team for the campaign.

The Bristol City striker will also have very fond memories of playing against Watford in recent memory, having netted his first career hat trick against the Hertfordshire side when the two met in the FA Cup last month.

Emil Riis to score at 9/4 with Sky Bet

Irankunda into the book

No player on either team has received more yellow cards this season than Watford winger Nestory Irankunda, having picked up his ninth card of the campaign in Tuesday’s home loss against Ipswich.

The Australia international was also given a caution in the return fixture between the two sides back in November.

Nestory Irankunda to be booked at 7/2 with Sky Bet

Bristol City v Watford predicted lineups

Bristol City (3-4-3): Vitek (GK); Tanner, Eile, Pring; Sykes, Morsy, Knight, Borges; Horvat, Riis, Twine

Watford (3-4-3): Selvik (GK); Mfuni, Pollock, Abankwah; Petris, Louza, Mendy, Bola; Irankunda, Kjerrumgaard, Chakvetadze

How to watch Bristol City v Watford

Location: Ashton Gate, Bristol, UK
Date and time: Friday 27th February 2026, 8pm
How to watch: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Ultra HDR, Sky One

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