Will Watford have a successful start to the new season?

Sheffield United narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the promotion play-offs last season. The Blades only lost out to Nottingham on penalties and thus missed out on the chance of direct promotion to the English top flight. This season is Sheffield United’s next attempt.

The first acid test awaits the Blades at the start of the season. Head coach Paul Heckingbottom’s team will face PL relegated Watford FC. The bookmakers are currently offering odds of 3.10 on Watford vs. Sheffield United for tip 2.

The last time these two clubs met was in the 2019/20 season, where Watford and Sheffield United were still in the English top flight. Both matches in the first and second legs ended in a draw. The Hornets thus extended their recent record against the Blades and are now unbeaten against Sheffield United for just under 13 years.

It is therefore not at all surprising that Watford FC are rated as favourites for the home game against Sheffield United. It is quite possible that the Hornets will extend their ongoing series against the Blades with another win.

Watford – Statistics & current form

Watford FC missed out on staying in the Premier League and were relegated from the English top flight once again – as they were in the 2019/20 season. This season, the Hornets are now embarking on the mission of “re-promotion” and start the new must-win season on Monday evening. The home game against the Blades from Sheffield comes in handy.

Watford FC have not lost a home game against Sheffield FC since January 2009. In fact, the Hornets have won two of their last three home games against Sheffield United. In all three home games Watford even remained without conceding a goal. It is therefore obvious to bet on “BTS: No” for Watford vs. Sheffield United this time as well.

The Hornets have not yet celebrated a home win this calendar year. The last time Watford won a competitive match at Vicarage Road was in November 2021. The Hornets beat Manchester United 4-1 on that occasion. Since then, Watford FC have suffered a total of 11 defeats in their last 13 home matches.

Will Edwards lead the Hornets back to the top flight?

Although the Hornets saw off a number of key players in the summer, Watford FC are still among the favourites for promotion. In return for the nine departures during the summer break, 13 new signings were made. Surprisingly, the sale of top-class players such as Pedro, Dennis and Sarr was avoided.

It is quite possible that head coach Edwards will rely on his three charges in the attack for the season opener against Sheffield United. There is room for rotation with new arrivals such as Bayo, Manaj & Co. Watford FC did not leave a bad impression during the summer preparation. Especially in the dress rehearsal before the start of the season in the Championship, the Hornets have convinced.

In the test match against Southampton FC, the Hornets earned a well-deserved draw and even kept their clean sheet. Before that, Watford had won 4-1 against Wycombe in a friendly match and thus warmed up for the upcoming season.

Predicted Watford line-up:
Bachmann; Ngakia, Kabasele, Cathcart, Kamara; Cleverley, Kayembe, Gosling; Sarr, Pedro, Dennis

Last matches played by Watford:

Friendly club matches
23/07/2022 – Watford 0 – 0 Southampton

16/07/2022 – Watford 4 – 1 Wycombe

12/07/2022 – Watford 0 – 2 Bolton

10/07/2022 – Watford 0 – 0 Panathinaikos

02/07/2022 – Watford 1 – 3 Cambridge U

Sheffield United – Statistics & current form

Sheffield United, relegated from the Premier League, played a mixed season last year. It was only in the second half of the season that Sheffield United found their way back to success and punched their ticket for the promotion play-offs with an impressive start to the season. Among other things, they defeated second division champions Fulham FC 4-0 at Bramall Lane on the last matchday.

In the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs, however, Sheffield United were defeated by Nottingham Forest and thus missed the chance to enter the Wembley final. This season sees the Blades’ next attempt, with Paul Heckingbottom remaining in place as Sheffield United head coach.

The Blades will also be starting with a largely settled squad. There were no serious departures in the summer, but Sheffield United have strengthened their squad with four new arrivals. Besides loan players like Clark, Khadra and Doyle, Ahmedhodzic has also joined the team. The 23-year-old was signed from Malmö FF.

Will the Blades get their first points?

With the current squad, Sheffield United are definitely among the co-favourites for promotion to the Premier League. Because the Blades disappointed during the summer preparation and lost three of the last four test matches, the first setback for Heckingbottom’s team cannot be ruled out in the season opener.

In the dress rehearsal before the season opener in the Championship, Sheffield even suffered a 1-2 defeat against third division side Barnsley FC. However, bettors who want to predict a point for the Blades in the Watford vs. Sheffield United match can pick up decent betting odds if they are successful.

The match at Watford FC will be missed by a total of four players on the Blades’ side. In addition to McBurnie, Bogle and O’Connell, who are out through injury, Oliver Norwood is still serving his yellow ban from last season.

Predicted Sheffield United line-up:
Foderingham; Clark, Egan, Ahmedhodzic; Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Berge, Norrington-Davies; Brewster, Khadra

Last matches played by Sheffield United:

Friendly club matches
23/07/2022 – Barnsley 2 – 1 Sheffield United

23/07/2022 – Burton 0 – 3 Sheffield United

20/07/2022 – Mansfield 3 – 0 Sheffield United

16/07/2022 – Scunthorpe 3 – 2 Sheffield United

12/07/2022 – Lincoln City 0 – 4 Sheffield United

Watford – Sheffield United Direct Comparison / H2H Record

In the last 45 meetings between the two clubs, Sheffield United have emerged victorious a total of 19 times and thus lead the direct comparison. Twelve of the 45 matches have been won by Watford FC, and there have also been 14 draws between the Hornets and the Blades. On average, 2.40 goals per game have been scored in the 45 matches.

Watford FC have not lost to the Sheffield Blades since August 2009. In the last four matches between the two clubs, there have been two wins for Watford FC and two draws. In three of the four encounters, Watford went without conceding a goal against Sheffield United.

Watford – Sheffield United betting tips

Watford FC go on a mission of “promotion again” on Monday night. With their current squad, the Hornets are among the favourites for promotion this season and will go into the season opener in the Championship with a broad chest. In the dress rehearsal before the home game against Sheffield, Watford already defied PL club Southampton FC.

If the Hornets take the momentum from their summer preparation with them, it is obvious that the first three points of the season are on the cards against Sheffield United. In contrast to Watford FC, the visitors from Sheffield have had a mixed preparation phase. It would therefore be more than surprising after recent results if the Blades score at Vicarage Road.

The recent record against Watford FC also speaks against it. Sheffield have remained winless in their last four competitive games against the Hornets. Two of the last three away games at Vicarage Road were even lost. We therefore think it’s obvious to place a bet on Watford vs. Sheffield United at odds of 2.38 on the hosts. We are using four units to do so.