Anticipation continues to build ahead of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign, with the Hornets preparing to face Queens Park Rangers in the opening encounter of the season this Saturday (August 5, 3pm KO).
Ahead of the curtain-raiser, we take a look at all the stats, facts and figures surrounding the second-tier fixture.
Previous Meetings
Watford Head Coach Valérien Ismaël has beaten a team managed by Gareth Ainsworth on both previous occasions, with Barnsley beating Wycombe 2-1 and 3-1 in the 2020/21 Championship season.
QPR have won more Football League matches against Watford than they have against any other side in their history (51), while Watford have lost more games against QPR than they have against any other side in their league history.
Watford, who have lost each of their last two home league games against QPR, are looking to avoid losing three in a row for just the second time in their history, following a run of four defeats between August 1969 and October 1979.
Recent Form
Watford have lost their first league game in just one of the last 16 campaigns (W9 D6), winning on opening day in each of the last three seasons.
When kicking off a league campaign away from home, QPR have won just one of their last 15 games (D6 L8), with that victory coming at Stoke in 2019/20.
Watford finished their 2022/23 Championship season with a 2-0 home victory over Stoke City – not since January have the Hornets won successive league fixtures.
Opposition Stat Attack
Last season, QPR striker Lyndon Dykes was the top goalscorer for the Hoops with eight strikes to his name. Moroccan Ilias Chair had the most shots on target (30) and the most shots off target (30), while earning the most assists (9).
Defender Jimmy Dunne attempted the most passes in the previous campaign (1,918) and the most passes in his own half (1,268). Meanwhile, Sam Field attempted the most passes in the opposition’s half (992).
Influential Chair also attempted the most crosses (300) and dribbles (118). Defensively, Field topped the rankings for blocks (28), interceptions (81) and fouls won (60).
