Hornets winless at home since win over Manchester United but Blades post horror record on Matchday 1 as promotion favorites clash – team news, kickoff time shipping and how to track

Watford begin life in the Championship looking to end their long wait for a win at Vicarage Road over Sheffield United.

The Hornets are winless in their last 13 home league games, losing 12, since their shock 4-1 win over Manchester United in October.

New Watford boss Rob Edwards has now been tasked with bringing the club back to the Premier League at the first request.

The Blades, meanwhile, are gearing up for a second consecutive year in English football’s second tier after last campaign’s playoffs.

Watford v Sheffield United: talkSPORT commentary

This championship clash will take place on Monday, August 1st.

talkSPORT 2 will have exclusive coverage of the Vicarage Road clash which kicks off at 8pm.

Dan Windle will be your presenter while commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former Watford striker David Connolly.

To tune into talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen through 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 are otherwise in good health.

The club managed to retain Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaila Sarr after their relegation and both are expected to be involved.

United meanwhile suffered a number of injury misses with Jack O’Connell, Jayden Bogle, Adam Davies and Tommy Doyle all sidelined.

Former Liverpool starlet Rhian Brewster is set to lead the line while Ciaran Clark could make his full debut following his loan switch from Newcastle.

Watford v Sheffield United: What was 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 huge now.

“Any team that goes down will be strong and will have a great squad that is more capable of coping with the demands of a longer season.

“So we will be one of the favorites but we have to play as we are from day one. Any expectation placed on us, we have to deal with.

Watford v Sheffield United: Match facts

• Watford are winless in their last 13 home league games, losing 12, since a 4-1 win over Manchester United in October 2021.
• Sheffield United have lost their first league game in six of the last eight seasons (W1 D1), losing in each of the last two to Wolves (0-2 in 2020-21) and Birmingham (0-1 in 2021-22 ).
• Watford have lost their first league game in just one of the last 15 seasons (W8 D6), losing 3-0 at home to Brighton in 2019-20.
• Outside of the top flight, the last league encounter between Watford and Sheffield United came in March 2011 in the league, a 3-0 win for the Hornets with goals from Danny Graham, Martin Taylor and Ross Jenkins.
• Watford and Sheffield United last met in the league in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, drawing both matches.