Norwich City v Watford: play-off push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Norwich City host Watford in the Championship at Carrow Road on Monday, 29 December 2025, with the visitors chasing the play-offs and the hosts battling to climb out of the relegation zone.

Norwich City have responded well since losing 3-2 in the reverse fixture on 6 December, going unbeaten in four with two home wins. Watford arrive unbeaten in five after victories over Stoke and Leicester and draws with Sheffield Wednesday and Wrexham.

The Canaries have beaten Southampton and Charlton at Carrow Road this month, a timely lift. The Hornets' recent run has been consistent, underlined by that away win at Leicester.

Injuries could shape selections. The Canaries are without a cluster of players including top scorer Jovon Makama, Anis Ben Slimane, Ante Crnac and Shane Duffy. The Hornets are missing Kwadwo Baah, Caleb Wiley, Jack Grieves and Rocco Vata.

The Hornets have scored 33 league goals and supply frequent crosses, delivering 320 from open play at 20.62% accuracy with seven headed goals. That could trouble the Canaries, who have kept only two clean sheets and conceded 35. Imran Louzan's six goals and six assists, plus Luca Kjerrumgaard's seven strikes, offer threat, while Josh Sargent may carry the hosts' attacking load.

The Hornets sit eighth on 35 points. Victory would take them to 38 and could edge them closer to the play-off places. The Canaries are 23rd on 21 points and a win would lift them to 24, cutting the gap to safety in the relegation fight.