West Ham United arrive at Vicarage Road with serious ambition of an immediate return to the top flight and with plenty of confidence following a massive win midweek in the Carabao Cup.
Although it's been a slower start to life in the Championship than hoped, with just one point from their opening two matches, this is obviously a very talented squad with a long season still to come.
Watford, meanwhile, have hit the ground running under new head coach Alessio Dionisi. The Hornets sit seventh after an unbeaten start to their Championship campaign.
Two promotion hopefuls, then, in a fixture that should offer goals and quality at both ends. Find out everything you need to know ahead of this one below.
Match Facts
Watford vs West Ham United – Match Facts
- Competition: EFL Championship
- Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Venue: Vicarage Road, Watford
Betting Odds
Watford vs West Ham United Betting Odds – Championship 2026/27
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Watford Win | 13/5 | 27.8% |
Draw | 11/4 | 26.7% |
West Ham United Win | 3/4 | 57.1% |
West Ham United remain firm favourites at 3/4 despite their slow start to the season, with Watford priced up at 13/5 and the draw available to bettors at 11/4.
Early Payout
2+ Goals Ahead Early Payout
With BOYLE Sports' Early Payout offer, 2 goals ahead means you win. Simple as that.
Back your team in the match betting market and if they build a 2-goal lead at any point, your bet is settled immediately. Whatever happens next is irrelevant. T&Cs apply.
How to Watch
How to Watch Watford vs West Ham United
Watford vs West Ham United kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 29 August and will be shown live on Sky Sports+.
Head-to-Head
Watford vs West Ham United Head-to-Head
This is the first meeting between the two sides since February 2022, when West Ham United won 1-0 in the Premier League – the season before Watford's relegation split them into different divisions.
West Ham United have historically had the upper hand in this fixture. Watford's last win over the Hammers came back in December 2018, a 2-0 victory. The Hammers have won each of the five meetings since then – with four of those wins coming by 2+ goals.
With both clubs now in the Championship, they are set to renew a rivalry that stretches back over a century.
Form Guides
Form Guides
Watford Form Guide
There was a real feel-good factor around Vicarage Road after the opening two games of their Championship campaign. Alessio Dionisi's first Championship campaign in charge began with a 2-1 win over Southampton, before a 1-1 draw at Wrexham kept the unbeaten run going.
That mood was somewhat dampened midweek after a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Peterborough sent the club crashing out of the Carabao Cup at the second round stage.
Four points from two games leaves Watford seventh in the early table, with the Hornets among the form sides in the division so far.
Dionisi, appointed in June, to this point in the Championship has seen his side score in both matches while conceding just twice – a solid platform as he looks to build something sustainable at the club.
West Ham United Form Guide
It's been an adjustment period for West Ham United since dropping into the second tier of English football. A 2-2 draw at Burnley on the opening weekend was followed by a 1-2 home defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Just one point from two matches leaves the club down in 16th early on, though there's a long season ahead to put that right.
Injuries haven't helped either, with Tomas Soucek sidelined and doubts over Pablo after he picked up a calf knock in the draw against Burnley.
Still, few would bet against a squad with genuine Premier League quality finding its groove, and this trip to a promotion-chasing Watford side is another step in that process.
The 4-1 win on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup at Southampton also came as a big boost ahead of this trip to Watford.
Prediction & Best Bet
Watford vs West Ham United Prediction & Best Bet
West Ham United Win & Both Teams To Score – 5/2 BOYLE Sports Price Boost (Was 9/4)
The Hammers are firm favourites in the match betting here at 3/4 despite a slow start to the season. This doesn’t come as a surprise either, as the quality in this squad is undeniable and is a match for any side in the division. Rejuvenated by a top-class performance midweek in the Carabao Cup, they look to have a great chance of coming away with all three points here.
The both teams to score (BTTS) angle also makes a lot of sense here with both teams having conceded at least one goal in their last three games. Boosted odds of 5/2 for the favourites to win in a game with a few goals seems like great value here given how both sides have started the season.
Bet on Championship Odds at BOYLE Sports.
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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Dylan has forgotten more about the world of sports betting than many will ever know. Seven years in the game will give you that kind of perspective, and he brings that knowledge to the BOYLE Sports Blog. This long-suffering Mayo man has a particular passion for Gaelic football, American football and golf.
