Watford last played in the Premier League in the 2021/2022 season. Immediately after relegation, the task of bringing the "Hornets" back to the top division was entrusted to Chris Wilder. However, the experienced coach was unable to fulfill this task, after which Tom Cleverley led the team for more than two years. Yet the result year after year was the same - Watford consistently finished in the second half of the league table. In the autumn of this year, the patience of the "Hornets" management ran out, and on October 8, they appointed Javi Gracia as their coach. The Spaniard had previously managed Watford in 2018-2019, during their time in the Premier League. In contrast to their opponent, Bristol City progressed last season and can consider their performance successful. For the first time in ten complete seasons of the second-tier league in England, the "Robins" made it to the playoffs. In fact, they finished in the top half of the league table for the second time during this period. So far, Bristol City is managing to maintain this high standard, which gives their players little reason for negativity. Bookmakers have made the home side the favourites for the upcoming encounter, offering odds of 2.10 for their victory.

After the October break for international fixtures, Watford faced one of the toughest stretches of the current season. The schedule included matches against Sheffield United, Coventry City, West Bromwich, Middlesbrough, and Ipswich Town within just three weeks. Of the three away matches against these opponents, Watford garnered only one point, but they managed to win both home games, extending their home winning streak to four matches. Their last defeat at home was in mid-September against a not particularly strong Blackburn. The key to Rovers' success in that match was that they played as the "second team", which is uncomfortable for Watford's style.

In November, Bristol City managed to lose two matches. For the first time this season, the "Robins" suffered two consecutive defeats. This unsuccessful mini-series replaced a successful period of three consecutive wins. In October, Bristol City faced a decent set of opponents: Norwich City, Southampton, and Birmingham. The visitors have everything they need to end their unlucky streak and take at least one point from Watford.