The 2022/23 EFL Championship campaign kicks off this weekend. The final clash of the opening round sees Watford host Sheffield United at Vicarage Road on Monday night.
Watford are back in the Championship after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season. How will the Hornets adapt to life in the second tier?
Immaculate vibes in the gym. ✨#WatfordFC | #WFCPreSeason pic.twitter.com/9eNX4zwkdT— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) July 27, 2022
Immaculate vibes in the gym. ✨#WatfordFC | #WFCPreSeason pic.twitter.com/9eNX4zwkdT
Meanwhile, Sheffield United reached the Championship play-offs last term before falling at the first hurdle. Can the Blades bounce straight back?
Let’s start by looking at the hosts, Watford, who are back in the Championship for the second time in three seasons.
Last term, the Hornets finished second from bottom in the Premier League – one point above Norwich City and 15 points from safety.
It is also worth noting that Watford conceded 77 goals in 38 league games last season (2 goals per game), so they will be eager to tighten things up at the back.
The Hornets went through three permanent managers last term before appointing Rob Edwards. Time will tell where the new boss can take the club back to the Premier League.
As for Sheffield United, they finished fifth in the Championship last season – recording 21 wins, 12 draws and 13 losses.
However, the Blades ended up suffering penalty heartbreak against Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals.
Sheff United finished the previous campaign in decent form, though, losing just one of their final six matches. Needless to say, they will be looking to pick up where they left off last term.
Following the loan signings of Tommy Doyle from Manchester City and Ciaran Clark from Newcastle United, the Blades look set to challenge for promotion once again.
Head-to-head: Watford have avoided defeat in each of their last five meetings with Sheff Utd, notching three straight wins before recording back-to-back draws.
Five of the past seven meetings between Watford and Sheff Utd have produced under 2.5 goals, so we should get a low-scoring game this time around.
Team news: Vakoun Issouf Bayo, Ben Hamer and Rey Manaj are in line to make their competitive debuts for Watford.
Unfortunately for Sheff Utd, Jack O’Connell and Jayden Bogle will miss the start of the season through injury.
After coming close to securing promotion last season, the Blades are expected to begin the new campaign in flying form.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Sheffield United will score over 1.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way to beating Watford.