Watford will play host to Sheffield United at Vicarage Road on Monday as game week one of the 2022-23 Championship season comes to a close.
The hosts will be looking to return to the Premier at the first attempt, while Sheffield United are preparing for a second consecutive year in the second tier.
The departure of Rob Edwards for Watford left Forest Green Rovers unable to hide their displeasure, and the 39-year-old is now aiming to avoid becoming the next victim of the Hornets’ trigger-happy board.
Veteran Roy Hodson, Claudio Ranieri and Xisco Munoz all tried and failed to help Watford keep their Premier League status last season, and competing at the top end of the Championship table this time around is of the essence for Edwards.
However, Watford won just one of their five pre-season matches, a 4-1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers, as they drew with Panathinaikos and Southampton while they lost to Cambridge United and Bolton Wanderers.
Still seeking their first home league win of 2022, the Hornets can take solace in the fact that only one of their last 15 opening-day matches has ended in defeat, which is more than can be said for Sheffield United.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United came so close yet so far to an immediate return to the Premier League last season, finishing fifth in the regular camapign and securing a spot in the playoffs in the process.
The Blades drew 3-3 with Nottingham Forest after extra time in their two-legged tie, but Morgan Gibbs-White, who scored in the 2-1 second-leg win, went from hero to zero as he missed the crucial penalty in the shootout.
While the Hornets have developed a fondness for opening-day performances, Sheffield United can only boast one win from their last eight such matches, while the other six ended in defeat.
Watford vs Sheffield United head to head
The two teams have previously met on 31 occasions across all competitions, where Watford have claimed 12 victories while Sheffield have won 10, and they have drawn in nine. Watford have scored 35 goals and conceded 33. In their last five meetings, Watford have won three while they have drawn twice.
Watford 3-0 Sheffield United 02/02/10
Sheffield United 0-1 Watford 02/10/10
Watford 3-0 Sheffield United 12/03/11
Watford 0-0 Sheffield United 05/10/19
Sheffield United 1-1 Watford 26/12/19
Watford latest home form
Watford have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, as they have won just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Southampton in their last home game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 11.
Watford 1-5 Leicester City 15/05/22
Watford 1-3 Cambridge United 02/07/22
Watford 0-2 Bolton Wanderers 12/07/22
Watford 4-1 Wycombe Wanderers 16/07/22
Watford 0-0 Southampton 23/07/22
Watford latest away form
Watford have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, as they have been winless in their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Panathinaikos in their last away game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored two goals and conceded 10.
Liverpool 2-0 Watford 02/04/22
Manchester City 5-1 Watford 23/04/22
Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford 07/05/22
Chelsea 2-1 Watford 22/05/22
Panathinaikos 0-0 Watford 10/07/22
Sheffield United latest home form
Sheffield United have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest in their last home game in the Championship. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded four.
Sheffield United 0-0 AFC Bournemouth 09/04/22
Sheffield United 1-2 Reading 15/04/22
Sheffield United 1-0 Cardiff City 23/04/22
Sheffield United 4-0 Fulham 07/05/22
Sheffield United 1-2 Nottingham Forest 14/05/22
Sheffield United latest away form
Sheffield United have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Barnsley in their last away game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded nine.
Casa Pia 1-2 Sheffield United 08/07/22
Scunthorpe United 3-2 Sheffield United 16/07/22
Manfield Town 3-0 Sheffield United 19/07/22
Burton Albion 0-3 Sheffield United 22/07/22
Barnsley 2-1 Sheffield United 23/07/22
Watford news
Midfielder Imran Louza is set to be unavailable for Watford on the opening day, as he is yet to recover from a knee injury.
There were a lot of departures from Vicarage Road in the wake of their relegation, but Edwards has managed to hold Ismaila Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis and Daniel Bachmann.
Sheffield United news
Sheffield United’s Tommy Doyle, Jayden Bogle, Jack O’Connell and Adam Davies are all set to watch from the sidelines.
Anel Ahmedhodzic and Ciaran Clark can expect to be handed their competitive debuts for the Blades, and Sander Berge remains on the books at Bramall Lane and should start in the midfield.
Prediction and Odds
The consistency has not been disrupted too much in either squad, and keeping the likes of Joao Pedro, Dennis and Sarr on the books spells goals for Watford.
Winning on the opening day has not been Sheffield United’s strong point, but their reinforced defence can hold on for a point on Monday.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.26
Probable outcomes
Watford 0-0 Sheffield United
Watford 1-1 Sheffield United
Watford 2-2 Sheffield United
Watford 1-0 Sheffield United
Watford 2-1 Sheffield United
