Bristol City 1-0 Watford: result and goals
Bristol City beat Watford 1-0 on Friday, 18 September 2026 in the Championship.
Goals: Dominic Ballard 31'.
Bristol City sit 14th on 15 points.
Watford sit 21st on 11 points.
Bristol City have 3 wins, 0 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Watford have 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Last 5 meetings: Bristol City won 2, Watford won 2, 1 drawn.
- Competition
- EFL Championship
- Kick-off
- Friday, 18 September 2026, 20:00 (UK time)
- Venue
- Ashton Gate, Bristol
- 👥
- 20906
The match in numbers
- Bristol City beat Watford 1-0.
- Dominic Ballard opened the scoring for Bristol City on 31'.
Data: ESPN · votes and picks from Scorely users
Goals and cards
81'Matthew PollockYellow
Live commentary
- Match ends, Bristol City 1, Watford 0.
- 90'+5'Second Half ends, Bristol City 1, Watford 0.
- 90'+3'Offside, Bristol City. Lorent Tolaj is caught offside.
- 90'+3'Attempt saved. Stephy Mavididi (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Sam Tickle (Bristol City).
- 90'+2'Corner, Watford. Conceded by Lisav Eissat.
- 90'+2'Attempt blocked. Edo Kayembe (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 90'+2'Attempt saved. Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Federico Ravaglia (Watford). Assisted by Rio Cardines.
- 90'Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
- 90'Attempt saved. Gibson Yah (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Federico Ravaglia (Watford). Assisted by Rio Cardines with a cross.
- 88'Foul by Kévin Keben (Watford).
- 88'Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 88'Substitution, Bristol City. Gibson Yah replaces Adam Randell.
- 88'Substitution, Bristol City. Lisav Eissat replaces Noah Eile because of an injury.
- 87'Attempt missed. Myron Boadu (Watford) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Stephy Mavididi.
- 86'Attempt blocked. Joe Williams (Bristol City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Rio Cardines with a cross.
- 85'Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Stephy Mavididi.
- 83'Foul by Hector Kyprianou (Watford).
- 83'Joe Williams (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 82'Attempt missed. Rio Cardines (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
- 81'Mattie Pollock (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 81'Foul by Mattie Pollock (Watford).
- 81'Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 80'Attempt missed. Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by George Tanner with a through ball following a fast break.
- 78'Foul by Iker Bravo (Watford).
- 78'Jason Knight (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 77'Foul by Kévin Keben (Watford).
- 77'Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 74'Albert Eames (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 74'Foul by Jed Wallace (Bristol City).
- 72'Hector Kyprianou (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 72'Foul by Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City).
- 70'Substitution, Bristol City. Cameron Pring replaces Sam Greenwood.
- 70'Substitution, Watford. Myron Boadu replaces Mamadou Doumbia.
- 69'Albert Eames (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 69'Foul by Jason Knight (Bristol City).
- 66'Attempt missed. Lorent Tolaj (Bristol City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Greenwood following a fast break.
- 65'Attempt saved. Sam Greenwood (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Federico Ravaglia (Watford). Assisted by Lorent Tolaj.
- 63'Substitution, Bristol City. Jed Wallace replaces Yu Hirakawa.
- 63'Substitution, Bristol City. Lorent Tolaj replaces Dom Ballard.
- 62'Substitution, Watford. Stephy Mavididi replaces Amin Nabizada.
- 62'Substitution, Watford. Othmane Maamma replaces Rocco Vata.
- 62'Substitution, Watford. Albert Eames replaces Branimir Mlacic.
- 62'Attempt missed. Rocco Vata (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Amin Nabizada.
- 61'Attempt saved. Hector Kyprianou (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Sam Tickle (Bristol City).
- 61'Attempt blocked. Hector Kyprianou (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Amin Nabizada.
- 57'Hector Kyprianou (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 57'Foul by Sam Greenwood (Bristol City).
- 56'Attempt saved. Joe Williams (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Federico Ravaglia (Watford). Assisted by Rio Cardines with a cross.
- 55'Foul by Edo Kayembe (Watford).
- 55'Dom Ballard (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 54'Edo Kayembe (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
- 54'Joe Williams (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card.
- 54'Jason Knight (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card.
- 54'Branimir Mlacic (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
- 51'Edo Kayembe (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 51'Foul by Sam Greenwood (Bristol City).
- 49'Corner, Watford. Conceded by Rob Atkinson.
- 49'Attempt blocked. Amin Nabizada (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Iker Bravo.
- 48'Attempt blocked. George Tanner (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jason Knight.
- 45'Second Half begins Bristol City 1, Watford 0.
- 45'+3'First Half ends, Bristol City 1, Watford 0.
- 45'+1'Attempt blocked. Noah Eile (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rio Cardines with a cross.
- 45'Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time.
- 45'Foul by Mamadou Doumbia (Watford).
- 45'Sam Greenwood (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 43'Edo Kayembe (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 43'Foul by Jason Knight (Bristol City).
- 42'Amin Nabizada (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 42'Foul by Yu Hirakawa (Bristol City).
- 39'Corner, Watford. Conceded by Yu Hirakawa.
- 38'Foul by Luca Kjerrumgaard (Watford).
- 38'Adam Randell (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 36'Offside, Bristol City. Yu Hirakawa is caught offside.
- 35'Hector Kyprianou (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 35'Foul by Rob Atkinson (Bristol City).
- 34'Rocco Vata (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 34'Foul by Sam Greenwood (Bristol City).
- 31'Goal! Bristol City 1, Watford 0. Dom Ballard (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rio Cardines with a cross.
- 29'Corner, Watford. Conceded by Joe Williams.
- 29'Attempt blocked. Edo Kayembe (Watford) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luca Kjerrumgaard.
- 26'Attempt missed. Joe Williams (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Rio Cardines with a cross following a set piece situation.
- 25'Amin Nabizada (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 25'Foul by Amin Nabizada (Watford).
- 25'Yu Hirakawa (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 24'Foul by Mamadou Doumbia (Watford).
- 24'Adam Randell (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 21'Mamadou Doumbia (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 21'Foul by Mamadou Doumbia (Watford).
- 21'Jason Knight (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 20'Corner, Watford. Conceded by Adam Randell.
- 19'Foul by Iker Bravo (Watford).
- 19'Joe Williams (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 16'Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Mattie Pollock.
- 15'Attempt blocked. Yu Hirakawa (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Randell.
- 15'Handball by Rocco Vata (Watford).
- 14'Foul by Amin Nabizada (Watford).
- 14'George Tanner (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 13'Attempt saved. Yu Hirakawa (Bristol City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Federico Ravaglia (Watford). Assisted by Joe Williams.
- 12'Foul by Kévin Keben (Watford).
- 12'Sam Greenwood (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 11'Attempt blocked. Yu Hirakawa (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dom Ballard.
- 11'Attempt saved. Sam Greenwood (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Federico Ravaglia (Watford).
- 9'Luca Kjerrumgaard (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 9'Foul by Noah Eile (Bristol City).
- 8'Attempt missed. Luca Kjerrumgaard (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
- 8'Attempt blocked. Amin Nabizada (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hector Kyprianou.
- 3'Attempt missed. Jason Knight (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Dom Ballard with a cross.
- 1'Foul by Sam Greenwood (Bristol City).
- 1'Kévin Keben (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 1'Offside, Bristol City. Yu Hirakawa is caught offside.
- First Half begins.
- Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Commentary: ESPN
Starting line-ups
Bristol City · 4-2-3-1
5Robert AtkinsonCD-L
Substitutes
Watford · 3-4-1-2
6Matthew PollockCD
Substitutes
19Nikoloz ChikovaniSUB
56Albert EamesSUB
Match stats
BRCWAT
35.9Possession (%)64.1
17Shots10
7Shots on target2
2Corners5
11Fouls15
2Yellow cards5
0Red cards0
3Offsides0
2Saves6
Last 5 matches
Bristol City
WPortsmouth2-129 Aug 2026
W@ Preston North End3-11 Sept 2026
W@ Burnley2-15 Sept 2026
L@ Southampton4-112 Sept 2026
LLincoln City1-015 Sept 2026
Watford
DWest Ham United1-129 Aug 2026
L@ Swansea City2-01 Sept 2026
L@ West Bromwich Albion1-05 Sept 2026
WPreston North End2-18 Sept 2026
LStoke City2-112 Sept 2026
Head-to-head record
2
Bristol City
1
Draws
2
Watford
Last meetings
27 Feb 2026Bristol City1 – 2Watford
10 Jan 2026Bristol City5 – 1Watford
7 Nov 2025Watford1 – 1Bristol City
5 Apr 2025Bristol City2 – 1Watford
26 Nov 2024Watford1 – 0Bristol City
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Boro | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | +10 | 25 | DWWDW |
| 2 |  Swansea | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | +3 | 23 | WWWLL |
| 3 |  West Ham | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | +17 | 22 | DDWWL |
| 4 |  Wolves | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | +4 | 21 | LLWDW |
| 5 |  West Brom | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | +3 | 21 | LLWWD |
| 6 |  Southampton | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | +12 | 20 | LWWDW |
| 7 |  Birmingham | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | +8 | 20 | DWWWL |
| 8 |  QPR | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | +8 | 20 | DDWLW |
| 9 |  Stoke | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | +2 | 20 | WWLWD |
| 10 |  Blackburn | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | +3 | 18 | DWWLW |
| 11 |  Portsmouth | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | +1 | 18 | LWWDW |
| 12 |  Sheffield Utd | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | +1 | 16 | LWLWD |
| 13 |  Millwall | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | -1 | 15 | DWLDL |
| 14 |  Bristol City | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | -3 | 15 | WWWLL |
| 15 |  Lincoln City | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | -7 | 15 | LLLDW |
| 16 |  Cardiff | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | +2 | 14 | WLWDW |
| 17 |  Wrexham | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | -3 | 14 | WDLWL |
| 18 |  Bolton | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -7 | 14 | WLWDL |
| 19 |  Charlton | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | -7 | 14 | LDDLL |
| 20 |  Norwich City | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -2 | 12 | LLLLW |
| 21 |  Watford | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -10 | 11 | DLLWL |
| 22 |  Burnley | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -8 | 8 | DWDLL |
| 23 |  Derby | 12 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -11 | 7 | DDLLD |
| 24 |  Preston | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | -15 | 5 | DLLLD |
Championship: upcoming fixtures
FAQ
What was the score in Bristol City v Watford?
Bristol City beat Watford 1-0 on Friday 18 September (Championship).
Who scored in Bristol City v Watford?
Goals: Dominic Ballard 31'.
When do Bristol City play next?
Bristol City play Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 31 October at 15:00 (UK time).
When do Watford play next?
Watford play Norwich City on Saturday 31 October at 12:30 (UK time).
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