Watford have had the best chances during the first half of their Championship clash with Birmingham City but the game is goalless at the interval.

Slavisa Jokanovic made four changes to the Golden Boys side which started the win at Nottingham Forest. Tommie Hoban, Juan Carlos Paredes, Miguel Layun and Matej Vydra returned to the starting XI.

Matthew Connolly was ruled out due to injury whilst Marco Motta, Ikechi Anya and Odion Ighalo dropped to the bench.

Watford started the contest brightly but the Birmingham defence was well organised and difficult to break down.

The visitors saw out the Hornets’ early pressure and only an excellent tackle from Paredes denied Andrew Shinnie a shot on goal from six yards.

But then Watford came to life and they came inches away from breaking the deadlock. A lovely floated pass from Adlene Guedioura allowed Deeney a one-on-one chance with Darren Randolph.

The Hornets’ captain’s shot was saved but the rebound fell to Vydra ten yards out.

The striker smashed a half volley towards goal but Randolph deflected the ball onto the crossbar. It was an outstanding save.

Jokanovic’s side immediately went back on the attack and Vydra dragged an effort wide before Randolph held a Guedioura shot from distance.

While Birmingham didn’t truly test Heurelho Gomes during the half the Watford defence did have a couple of nervy moments following errors from Craig Cathcart and Gabriele Angella. On both occasions the Golden Boys were able to escape without punishment.

And they almost broke the deadlock from their next attack as Almen Abdi wriggled past two challenges before his shot was deflected inches wide.

Birmingham’s best efforts on goal came in the closing minutes of the half. Clayton Donaldson’s shot from 20 yards trickled into the arms of Gomes before Demarai Gray’s low drive was deflected wide.

Watford: Gomes; Paredes, Angella, Cathcart, Hoban; Guedioura, Watson, Layun; Abdi; Vydra, Deeney.

Watford substitutes: Bond, Munari, Tozser, Forestieri, Anya, Ighalo, Motta.

Birmingham City: Randolph; Caddis, Morrison, Kiernan, Grounds; Gleeson, Tesche, Cotterill, Shinnie; Gray, Donaldson.

Birmingham City substitutes: Doyle, Robinson, Thomas, Novak, Spector, Arthur, Davis.