WATFORD are back in the English Championship and their quest to return to the Premiership starts on Monday night against Sheffield United.
The Hornets pretty much disgraced themselves last year in the top flight and the latest boss in the seemingly neverending conveyor belt of Vicarage Road bosses is Rob Edwards, who has been poached from runaway English League Two winners Forest Green Rovers.
So far, they have brought in five players and they look like they are very much a work in progress after the miseries of last season under Roy Hodgson
Pre-season has been a mixed bag. They held Southampton and Panathinaikos and thrashed Wycombe Wanderers, but lost at home to Bolton Wanderers and Cambridge United
Sheffield United lost out in the play-offs last season in heartbreaking fashion after a penalty shootout with Nottingham Forest.
The Blades have been quiet in the transfer market and have only brought in three players in the summer as Paul Heckingbottom opts to go with largely the same squad.
But they have yet to convince in the phony pre-season war – they lost three friendlies away to Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town and Barnsley, but won against Lincoln City, Casa Pia and Burton Albion.
How the bookies view it
Watford are favourites here at 19/13 with SBK, while the Yorkshire side are outsiders at 9/4 with UniBet. The draw is 21/10 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The sides were last in the same league four years ago and there were two draws – 1-1 and 0-0 in the Premier League. United haven't won in their last five meetings with Watford.
Here's United's play-off heartache last season to Nottingham Forest below.
Players to watch
Watford brought former Celtic flop Vakoun Bayo back to Britain in the summer from Belgian football and he is 11/4 with bet365 to score anytime.
Billy Sharp may be 36 now, but he is still a threat and loves a tear-up which he might get on Monday night. The veteran hitman is 23/10 to score anytime with 10bet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Sheffield United look far too big here against a Watford side who lost a staggering 20 players following relegation over the summer.
It will surely take time for Watford's new boss to gel his new boys and it can't be much fun working for their notorious trigger-happy board.
Astonishingly, Watford haven't won a league game at Vicarage Road since they hammered Manchester United 4-1 back in November and can't be trusted at such a short price.
United scored five goals in their last couple of away games last season including at promoted Nottingham Forest. They are 2/1 with bet365 to score two goals or more.
This England Championship match between Watford and Sheffield United will be played on Aug 1, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Watford vs Sheffield United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
