Watford are short odds-on favourites to defeat Birmingham City as the race for automatic promotion intensifies.

The Hornets’ 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night helped take them back up to third in the Championship and only behind Norwich by the smallest margin on goal difference.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side have won their last three matches and the promotion contenders are priced up at just 4/9 for victory with Coral.

Birmingham’s form has been inconsistent lately with just two wins from their last seven matches and there is no interest in backing the visitors even at odds as high as 7/1 (William Hill).

Rather than taking the short prices on a Watford win, it is worth looking at different ways to back the hosts.

The Hornets’ last four wins were all by two-goal margins so Paddy Power’s offer of 10/3 on this appeals.

The Blues have scored in their last four games and 11 of their last 12 matches.

A Watford win with both teams scoring could be on the cards and looks a decent price at 21/10 with Coral. Demarai Gray has scored in Birmingham’s last two matches and the highly-rated teenage winger could also be a worth a small bet at 5/1 to score anytime (Coral).