Preview: Watford vs. Plymouth Argyle - prediction, team news, lineups

The Hornets were the big winners on the opening weekend of the second-tier season, thrashing Queens Park Rangers, while Plymouth marked their return to this level with a win over Huddersfield Town.

Match preview

Watford started life under Valerien Ismael with a convincing win last Saturday, beating Gareth Ainsworth's QPR 4-0 at Vicarage Road, meaning they now sit top of the Championship standings.

Tom Dele-Bashiru put the Hornets ahead after just 40 seconds, and further strikes in the first half from Imran Louza, Matheus Martins and Vakoun Issouf Bayo made the second period a formality against the visiting R's.

Former West Bromwich Albion boss Ismael also made a fast start at the Hawthorns during the 2021-22 season, although the Frenchman will be hoping his tactics are not sussed out by the rest of the division this time around.

A fairly strong Watford side travelled to the Lamex Stadium and lost to League One side Stevenage on Tuesday in the EFL Cup, meaning Ismael's men only have second-tier football to focus on until January.

It has been 13 years since the Hornets faced Plymouth in a competitive match, with Saturday's hosts managing to do the double over the Pilgrims in the 2009-10 Championship season.

Home Park welcomed back Championship football for the first time in over a decade last Saturday, and supporters of Plymouth were treated to a terrific victory over relegation-tipped Huddersfield.

All three of the Green Army's dangerous-looking front three got on the scoresheet in Devon, with Morgan Whittaker, Bali Mumba and Ryan Hardie opening their accounts for the campaign.

The pick of the goals was certainly former Norwich City man Mumba's, with the 21-year-old gliding past countless Terriers defenders before slotting the ball past a helpless Lee Nicholls in the visitor's net.

With youngster Finn Azaz also returning to Plymouth following a successful loan spell from Aston Villa last season, the Pilgrims have managed to retain much of the squad who lifted the League One title in May.

Manager Steven Schumacher is reportedly targeting one more addition before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month, after the exciting loan capture of Luke Cundle from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this week.

Watford Championship form:

Watford form (all competitions):

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

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Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

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Team News

Watford fans will be hoping to catch a glimpse of new signings Thomas Ince and Giorgi Chakvetadze for the first time on Saturday, although Ismael is wary of rushing the pair back to the first-team fold too soon.

Jamal Lewis has arrived on loan from Newcastle United to provide competition at left-back, but it is likely that James Morris will retain his place in the XI after starting the demolition of QPR last time out.

With Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr leaving to join Brighton & Hove Albion and Marseille respectively this summer, the attacking responsibility now falls onto the shoulders of Bayo, Martins and Ken Sema until further additions can be made to the squad.

Plymouth are expected to name an unchanged XI to the one which dismantled Huddersfield on the opening day, meaning Lewis Gibson will partner former Walsall man Dan Scarr at the heart of the visitors' backline.

Youngsters Callum Wright and Adam Randell will be fighting new arrival Cundle for a spot in the Pilgrims engine room over the next few weeks, but the duo should have done enough to maintain their places for this weekend's Vicarage Road clash.

Brendan Galloway and Macauley Gillesphey have not featured so far this term due to their respective injuries, although both are targeting a return to action before the end of this month.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Ngakia, Porteous, Hoedt, Morris; Dele-Bashiru, Sierralta, Louza; Sema, Martins, Bayo

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Edwards, Scarr, Gibson, Kelser-Hayden; Wright, Houghton, Randell; Whittaker, Mumba, Hardie

We say: Watford 3-2 Plymouth Argyle

Watford are back at Vicarage Road after EFL Cup disappointment in the week, and the Hornets faithful will be expecting a response against newly-promoted Plymouth.

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