Rob Edwards’ Hornets are gearing up for the start of some hotly-anticipated pre-season match action, with four friendly fixtures to come in July.
Following the announcement of the clashes late last week, we take a look at the teams that the Golden Boys will face over the next month ahead of the impending Sky Bet Championship campaign…
Cambridge United – Saturday July 2, 1pm (London Colney training ground)
Head Coach: Mark Bonner
Nickname: The U’s
Ground: Abbey Stadium
Capacity: 8,127 (4,376 seated)
Last Meeting
Watford 1-0 Cambridge United, August 2004 (League Cup)
Last Season
League One: 14th
FA Cup: Fourth Round
League Cup: Second Round
Top Scorer: Sam Smith (17)
Last season was Cambridge’s first back in the third-tier of English football since 2002, with Mark Bonner leading them to safety. Sam Smith was also key to their success, as Cambridge secured a safe mid-table position.
With the Hornets having last faced the U’s in competitive action in 2004, when an Andy Ferrell winner secured victory in the opening round of the League Cup, this exhibition will certainly be an interesting encounter.
Bolton Wanderers – Tuesday July 12, 3pm (London Colney training ground)
Manager: Ian Evatt
Nickname: The Trotters
Ground: University of Bolton Stadium
Capacity: 28,723
Last Meeting
Bolton Wanderers 3-4 Watford, February 2015 (Championship)
Last Season
League One: 9th
FA Cup: First Round
League Cup: Second Round
Top Scorer: Oladapo Afolayan (12)
Just like Cambridge, Bolton were a newly-promoted side last season in League One. Under the stewardship of Ian Evatt, the Wanderers secured an impressive ninth-place finish and will be looking to press on ahead of the new campaign.
The Hornets and the Trotters last met competitively in 2015, when a seven-goal thriller saw Watford secure the win with a late Troy Deeney goal.
Wycombe Wanderers – Saturday July 16, 1pm (London Colney training ground)
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
Nickname: The Chairboys
Ground: Adams Park
Capacity: 9,558
Last Meeting
Watford 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers, March 2021 (Championship)
Last Season
League One: 6th
FA Cup: First Round
League Cup: Third Round
Top Scorer: Sam Vokes (17)
A solid defence reinforced by Golden Glove winner David Stockdale, and a clinical attack supported by Sam Vokes, saw Wycombe challenge the very best in the third-tier last season. However, the campaign ended in Wembley heartache after losing to Sunderland in the League One play-off final.
Watford last met the Chairboys in early 2021, when an Andre Gray double secured victory on the way to promotion to the top-flight at the first time of asking – something Edwards will be hoping to replicate.
Southampton – Saturday July 23, 3pm (Grosvenor Vale)
Manager: Ralph Hasenhüttl
Nickname: The Saints
Ground: St Mary’s Stadium
Capacity: 32,384
Last Meeting
Southampton 1-2 Watford, March 2022 (Premier League)
Last Season
Premier League: 15th
FA Cup: Quarter-Finals
League Cup: Fourth Round
Top Scorer: James Ward-Prowse (11)
A middling season for Southampton culminated in a lower-mid-table finish in the top-flight, and Ralph Hasenhüttl will be hoping for more going into 2022/23.
With the friendly encounter set to take place in front of supporters at Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale, Edwards will be hoping for a positive result to put a smile on the faces of the Watford faithful.
Sync Your Calendar!
Click HERE to sync your online/mobile calendar with all Watford’s 2022/23 fixtures. The calendar adjusts to your time zone and will automatically update throughout the season, so you’ll never miss a match!
