[Albion] Watford vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[B-right-on]

Love us to really have a go and get Talkshite and all those other 'BHA relegation fodder' doom and gloom pundits to STFU.

 

[DumLum]

Watford v Albion

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Saturday 10th August 2019
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Richard West
Fourth official: Peter Wright
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Madley
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Mark Scholes
​

TEAM NEWS

Danny Welbeck has a long-term ankle injury, with Nathaniel Chalobah, Adalberto Penaranda, Domingos Quina and Dimitri Foulquier all also not fit.

Brighton could give competitive debuts to Neal Maupay, Adam Webster, Leandro Trossard and Aaron Mooy.

Jose Izquierdo, Ezequiel Schelotto and Yves Bissouma are all injured.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Mark Scott: There's a feel-good factor around Watford after their highest league finish since the mid-1980s and an FA Cup final appearance.

Finishing as the best of the rest this time around is a realistic target as the Hornets enjoy some long-awaited stability under the impressive Javi Gracia, with Ismaila Sarr an exciting addition.

Brighton owner Tony Bloom is said to have one of the sharpest gambling minds around, and after almost nose-diving into relegation under Chris Hughton he has rolled the dice and brought in Graham Potter, who worked wonders at Ostersunds and did a fine job under testing conditions at Swansea.

Potter's CV ensures there will be plenty of intrigue into how he fares, and it's a safe bet the Seagulls will look extremely different under him.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Watford head coach Javi Gracia: "We try to keep the same good things we did last year and try to repeat it in the same way.

"Every season is different and you never know what is going to happen in the next games but our mentality is the same as we had last season."

Graham Potter: "We're going to a well-organised outfit who play to their strengths very well; they were FA Cup finalists last season and were strong in the Premier League, so we're under no illusions about how difficult it will be.

"We need to be ready for that. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited, but it isn't about me.

"It's about us as a team and as a club trying to get off to a good start and show what we've been working on."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• 
  [*=left]Brighton have not won on any of their last four visits to Watford (D2, L2), scoring just one goal in those games.
  [*=left]Watford also hosted Brighton in their first league match last season, winning 2-0 through goals from Roberto Pereyra.
  [*=left]The away team has failed to score in all four Premier League matches between Watford and Brighton.

Watford

• 
  [*=left]Watford finished 11th in last season's Premier League, their highest-ever position, and earned a club record 50 points.
  [*=left]The Hornets lost their last three league games in 2018-19.
  [*=left]They haven't lost their opening league game in any of the past 12 seasons (W6, D6).
  [*=left]Watford failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 15 competitive fixtures of 2018-19, conceding 34 goals.
  [*=left]Gerard Deulofeu has made 99 Premier League appearances.

Albion

• 
  [*=left]Brighton would equal their longest top-flight winless run of 10 matches if they fail to beat Watford.
  [*=left]Eight of their nine league victories last season were by a single-goal margin.
  [*=left]They have won just one of their opening fixtures in a top-flight season (D2, L3). That was back in 1980-81 when they beat Wolves 2-0.
  [*=left]Albion have only managed five wins from their 38 Premier League away matches (D9, L24).
  [*=left]Glenn Murray has scored 36% of Brighton's Premier League goals (25 of 69), the highest ratio by one player at any club.

This season please can you be more specific regarding official match threads. After listening to the BBC last season it gets a bit confusing. So can you title it Watford Men v Brighton & Hove Albion Men for example otherwise many of us will assume it's a womens game.

 

[bluenitsuj]

4 - 0 to the good guys. ( I can dream,right?)

 

[Silverhatch]

We’ll smash those Glory ‘Orns...

 

[OzMike]

Got a gig tonight, but will check in on my phone.
Can’t wait to see Potterball.

 

[Nottseagull]

Not changed much

Even the allotments are still there!
(Pic is from 1932).

 

[Stat Brother]

Which side of the whoredings will the ballboys be sitting?

 

[Two Professors]

Wheel loose,but not coming off altogether,

 

[Nottseagull]

Which side of the whoredings will the ballboys be sitting?

'Ballchildren', you sexist pig!

 

[Perfidious Albion]

This one is certainly winnable . They are not a top six side ,and who is to say that their late season form last time will carry over?
C’mon the good guys in stripes, or black or whatever

 

[Petee]

Welbeck long term injury? Shock!

 

[BLOCK F]

Would be happy with a point today and I think we'll get it.

 

[Nottseagull]

Would be happy with a point today and I think we'll get it.

I should be too, but something deep inside is telling me I'd actually be happier with a 4-3 defeat than a 0-0 draw.

 

[dingodan]

Good to see this!

Were loose. Of course.

FFS, it's the first game of the season and nobody has changed the banner!!!

THIS IS BAD.

 

[SeagullDubai]

I think it depends on which version of potterball is on display today. I'm a firm believer that games are won and lost in midfield. If we attack them when they advance and turn their attacks to our advantage the game is there for the taking. If we stand off and invite them on to us I think we will lose. . Stephens, propper, mooy, it's all on you.

Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

 

[SweatyMexican]

Craig Pawson

 

[Medwayseagull]

This one is certainly winnable . They are not a top six side ,and who is to say that their late season form last time will carry over?
C’mon the good guys in stripes, or black or whatever

You mean their late season form such as the cup final ?

 

[dingodan]

I think it depends on which version of potterball is on display today. I'm a firm believer that games are won and lost in midfield. If we attack them when they advance and turn their attacks to our advantage the game is there for the taking. If we stand off and invite them on to us I think we will lose. . Stephens, propper, mooy, it's all on you.

Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Ernest]

I’m all over the PLAICE today, one minute I’m stupidly OPTIMISTIC about this season and then I think we’ll be DOWN by Christmas

 

[Nottseagull]

Stephens, propper, mooy, it's all on you.

I'll be surprised if all three of those actually start the match. The team selection will be of huge interest, and I expect CH will be a little envious at what GP has at his disposal.