Newly relegated Watford host Sheffield United at Vicarage Road in the first Monday Night Football of 2022-23 Championship season.
Watford will be looking to get their return to the second-tier off to a winning start, whilst Sheffield Utd look to shake off any hangover from last season’s play-off semi-final heartbreak with a win.
Team News
Watford could be without Samir, Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaila Sarr for personal reasons with the trio linked with moves away from Vicarage Road.
Imran Louza (knee) remains absent but summer signings; Vakoun Issouf Bayo, Rey Manaj, Ben Hamer and Mario Gaspar could be in contention for their debuts.
Sheffield United could welcome Billy Sharp back from a calf injury which sidelined him at end of last season.
Rhian Brewster is also set to be in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered last season.
Summer signing, Tommy Doyle is ruled out with a thigh injury suffered during pre-season after he joined from Manchester City on loan.
Adam Davies, Jack O’Connell, Jayden Bogle (all knee) and Oli McBurnie (foot) all remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Watford are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Sheffield United (W3, D2).
- Sheffield Utd have won just one of their last five visits to Watford’s Vicarage Road (W1, D1, L3).
- Watford have kept clean sheets in four of their last five meetings at home against Sheffield Utd, with exception of a 2-0 loss in January 2009.
- Watford have lost just one of their last five opening weekend fixtures in a new season (W3, D1, L1), with all five matches played at home.
- Sheffield Utd have won just one of their last five opening weekend fixtures in a new season (W1, D1, L3).
Prediction
This match marks a new era for Watford with Rob Edwards in charge but following a summer of player exits and more players linked with departures, it will be interesting to see how the Hornets approach this match and this season.
Vicarage Road though has been their biggest Achilles heel with just one point from their last 13 home games since December, so something has to change but in Edwards they have a manager who isn’t afraid to tweak tactics which could be crucial.
Sheffield Utd meanwhile have had the summer break and pre-season to shake off last season’s play-off pain, whilst positive reinforcement has been added to the squad which should strengthen a team which has largely stayed intact again.
In fact, the Blades’ retainment of several first-team regulars could well play into their favour here because Watford’s line-up are likely to be still adjusting to playing together, whereas Sheffield Utd have that continuity with minimal arrivals who will only add extra quality.
If that is the case and Sheffield Utd can score first, I fancy them to end their recent poor run of opening weekend results, yet they’re facing a team who know how to win opening fixtures to a new season so this should be a fun competitive match and a draw would be a fair result.
Prediction: Watford 1-1 Sheffield United
Result: Watford 1-0 Sheffield United
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