Preview: Watford vs. Bournemouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Two of the clubs relegated from the Premier League last season meet in the Championship on Saturday as Watford host Bournemouth.

The two teams were promoted to the top-flight together in 2015 before coming down as a pair in the summer, and now both will be hoping they can make immediate returns to the promised land.

Match preview

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The Hornets and Cherries currently sit side by side in the table in third and fourth respectively having both made good starts to life in the second tier under new managers.

Watford doubled their goal tally for the season with a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night, but ultimately had goalkeeper Ben Foster to thank for ensuring the three points as he made a number of key saves, including one to keep out an Adam Armstrong penalty.

All of the club's previous three victories this campaign had been by a 1-0 scoreline, meaning Vladimir Ivic would have been delighted that his side finally showed some of the attacking panache that the quality in their squad should warrant.

Watford have a flawless home record so far this season, with three wins from three at Vicarage Road and just one goal conceded - Ben Brereton's excellent half-volley on Wednesday night.

Even on the way to relegation from the Premier League last season, they ranked 13th in the division for home form, making them a tough opponent for Bournemouth.

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Jason Tindall's team are one of just two unbeaten sides left in the Championship, along with league leaders Reading, following a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City in midweek.

Dominic Solanke gave the Cherries a first-half lead, but former loanee Harry Wilson came back to haunt them with an equaliser after the break.

It certainly was not a bad point against a team who reached the Championship playoffs last season, but it does mean that Bournemouth have now won just twice in their last 13 away games.

Those were both 3-1 victories – earlier this month against Coventry City and on the final day of last season against Everton.

Bournemouth won just one of ten top-flight meetings between the two sides – although that was a 4-0 romp at Vicarage Road in 2018. It was a result took them to fifth in the Premier League table, a far cry from where they are two years down the line.

Watford Championship form: WDWLWW Watford form (all competitions): DLWLWW

Bournemouth Championship form: WDWWDD Bournemouth form (all competitions): DLWWDD

Team News

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Etienne Capoue was involved for Watford for the first time in the Championship as a substitute on Wednesday night, and could be in line for a start against Bournemouth.

The Frenchman is one of a number of players in the Hornets' squad who are arguably too good for the second tier, along with the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Ben Foster. Will Hughes is another, and the midfielder could be named on the bench having not featured since the final day of the Premier League season because of an operation over the summer.

Bournemouth's squad also contains players who many were surprised did not secure a move away following relegation.

Two of those – Josh King and David Brooks – could be back involved on Saturday after missing recent weeks with injuries.

Deadline day loan signing Cameron Carter-Vickers lacks match fitness having not played competitively since July but is also in contention for the matchday 18.

Watford possible starting lineup: Foster; Cathcart, Kabasele, Wilmot; Femenia, Garner, Capoue, Cleverley, Sema; Pedro, Sarr

Bournemouth possible starting lineup: Begovic; Mepham, Cook, Rico; Stacey, Lerma, Gosling, Smith; Stanislas, Solanke, Danjuma

We say: Watford 1-1 Bournemouth

There should be an awful lot of quality on show at Vicarage Road on Saturday which will hopefully produce an entertaining game. It makes deciding a winner particularly tricky – Watford may edge it through home advantage, but Bournemouth will not want to lose their unbeaten record.

Top betting tip

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