Watford begin life back in the Championship looking to end their long wait for a win at Vicarage Road when they face Sheffield United.
The Hornets are winless in their last 13 home league games, losing 12, since their shock 4-1 victory over Manchester United in October.
New Watford boss Rob Edwards has now been tasked with returning the club to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Blades meanwhile are preparing for a second consecutive year in the second tier of English football after playoff heartache last campaign.
Watford v Sheffield United: talkSPORT commentary
This Championship clash will take place on Monday, August 1.
talkSPORT 2 will have exclusive coverage of the clash at Vicarage Road which will kick-off at 8pm.
Dan Windle will be your presenter while commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former Watford striker David Connolly.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Watford v Sheffield United: Team news
Imran Louza is still out with a knee injury for the hosts but Watford otherwise have a clean bill of health.
The club have managed to hold onto the likes of Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaila Sarr following their relegation and both should be involved.
United meanwhile have suffered a number of injury absentees with Jack O’Connell, Jayden Bogle, Adam Davies and Tommy Doyle all sidelined.
Former Liverpool starlet Rhian Brewster is expected to lead the line while Ciaran Clark could make his full debut following his loan switch from Newcastle.
Watford v Sheffield United: What has been said?
Watford captain Tom Cleverley: “I’m in a position where I can comment on the gap between the Premier League and the Championship, and it’s massive now.
“Any team coming down will be strong and have a big squad more able to deal with the demands of a longer season.
“So we will be one of the favourites but we have to play like we are from day one. Any expectation placed upon us we have to deal with.”
Watford v Sheffield United: Match facts
- Watford are winless in their last 13 home league games, losing 12 of those, since a 4-1 victory over Manchester United in October 2021.
- Sheffield United have lost their opening league match in six of the last eight seasons (W1 D1), losing in each of the last two against Wolves (0-2 in 2020-21) and Birmingham (0-1 in 2021-22).
- Watford have lost their opening league game in just one of the last 15 seasons (W8 D6), losing 3-0 at home to Brighton in 2019-20.
- Outside the top-flight, the last league meeting between Watford and Sheffield United came back in March 2011 in the Championship, a 3-0 win for the Hornets with goals from Danny Graham, Martin Taylor and Ross Jenkins.
- Watford and Sheffield United last faced in the league in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, drawing both matches.
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