This weekend’s Championship fixtures commence again on Friday night at Vicarage Road where Watford take on Burnley in what is a re-run of last season’s Premier League tussle but both clubs are now plying their trade in the English second tier and both desperate for a swift return to the top flight.
After last season’s relegation from the Premier League, Watford have had to re-group and adjust to life back in the Championship and The Hornets have made a solid start so far this term, picking up four points from their opening two games of the season.
Some 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 saves from our No.1 last night. 🧤Well played, @DBachmann1. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ShGbxzktSR— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 9, 2022
Some 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 saves from our No.1 last night. 🧤Well played, @DBachmann1. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ShGbxzktSR
An opening day 1-0 home win against Sheffield United saw Rob Edwards’ side off to a winning start but they were pegged back in Monday night’s 1-1 draw away at West Brom, as The Baggies denied them back to back wins.
However, despite Watford’s early promising start to this new term, question marks over whether the London club can keep hold of the likes of Ismail Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis still remain in the background.
The Hornets have no injury worries at the moment and are expected to name an unchanged side here.
Burnley are another side desperate to bounce back into the Premier League at the first time of asking as The Clarets suffered the same fate as their Friday night’s hosts.
They too have captured four points from their opening two games of this new Championship campaign.
A 1-0 win away from home at Huddersfield Town saw Burnley come through their first test against a side that had narrowly lost out in the Championship play-off final last season and Vincent Kompany’s side then followed that victory up with a 1-1 draw at home against another team that figured in last season’s play-offs, Luton Town.
Although Burnley have lost the services of former striker, Chris Wood, the visitors possess some promising creative players such as wing-back Ian Maatsen and midfielder Samuel Bastien who will play important roles as Burnley forge forward with veteran Ashley Barnes looking to use his wealth of experience up front.
The Clarets will be without midfielder Ashley Westwood due to a broken leg while midfielder Gudmunsson and forward Rodriguez are rated as doubtful.
Both Watford and Burnley possess some dangerous attacking personnel while also being fairly sound in the defensive third of the pitch but perhaps Burnley hold a slight edge here as The Clarets are unbeaten in the previous five meetings against Watford and look capable of picking up at least a point in this one.