Match Pack: Watford v Middlesbrough

• Watford v Middlesbrough
  
• Sky Bet Championship
  
• Vicarage Road
  
• Tuesday August 30, 8pm BST
  
• Black & white centenary third kit, grey goalkeeper kit

• Referee: Chris Kavanagh
  
• Assistants: Dan Cook & Nick Hopton
  
• Fourth Official: Sunny Gill

The Middlesbrough match marks the 100-year anniversary of Watford’s first game at Vicarage Road, and the club will be celebrating the centenary throughout the evening. There is a spectacular pyrotechnic display scheduled for before kick-off, so please be at your seats by 7.45pm to ensure you don’t miss out.

The club will be holding a minute’s applause before kick-off against Middlesbrough, in memory of former players Sammy Chung, Vince McNeice and Tommy Carpenter who recently passed away.

Middlesbrough - among the favourites for promotion in this season’s Sky Bet Championship - endured a somewhat tough start to proceedings with no wins in their opening five games.

Their fortunes changed last time out with a 2-1 home victory against Swansea City, and with such winning momentum the four-time second-tier champions will be looking to further advance their current 18th-place position with a result at The Vic.

In Chris Wilder Boro have a manager who has experienced plenty of success at this level - having taken Sheffield United to the Premier League four years ago - while the addition of the likes of Zack Steffen, Alex Mowatt and Marcus Forss to their ranks this summer signals the quality they possess.

• Watford are unbeaten in nine league matches against Middlesbrough (W5 D4) since losing 2-1 back in October 2012 under Gianfranco Zola.
  
• Middlesbrough haven’t scored in any of their last four away league visits to Watford (D1 L3) since a Scott McDonald winning goal in a 2-1 win in October 2012.
  
• Watford have lost none of their last 13 Championship matches on a Tuesday (W9 D4) since a 2-1 away defeat to Birmingham City in November 2014.

Watford Head Coach Rob Edwards confirmed Rey Manaj will be missing for a few weeks after being forced to come off with a hamstring problem against Queens Park Rangers last time out.

The Boro game comes too soon for Tom Cleverley, Imrân Louza, Samuel Kalu, Jeremy Ngakia and Keinan Davis, and Tom Dele-Bashiru remains out injured as well. Recent arrival Kortney Hause is in contention to make his debut, though.

Middlesbrough are unable to call upon Chuba Akpom, who is ruled out with a knee injury, while Duncan Watmore is a doubt after picking up an injury at the weekend.

Rob Edwards, Watford Head Coach:

“Middlesbrough are a really well-oiled, well coached team. Chris Wilder is a vastly experienced coach, and he’s had huge success so he certainly knows what it takes at this level.

“They’ve got a clear identity, and some brilliant players with a great mix of youth and experience. It’s no doubt going to be a tough game, but I’m sure they’ll be expecting the same and it’s our job to make it as hard as possible for them.

“We’re all looking forward to this one because of the special occasion. I’m very proud to be involved in it, and I’m sure us and the fans will be able to bounce off each other. The players will obviously be aware of the significance of the night, but I want them focused on the game itself because it’s going to be tough.”

Chris Wilder, Middlesbrough manager:

“I should imagine an immediate return to the Premier League is the No.1 objective for Watford. They’re not a building side in transformation - they’re a team expected to go straight back up with a new Head Coach in place and some outstanding players at their disposal.

“When you’re up against that you have to produce one of your best performances of the season, and we’re certainly going to have to do that.

“You always want to be party-poopers as an away team. Watford are a club with a rich history, and we’ll have to overcome all those things that will be happening on the night.”

Overall:

Won: 17
Drawn: 9
Lost: 14

Last Six:

April 2021: Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford (Championship)
September 2020: Watford 1-0 Middlesbrough (Championship)
January 2017: Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
October 2016: Middlesbrough 0-1 Watford (Premier League)
April 2015: Watford 2-0 Middlesbrough (Championship)
October 2014: Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford (Championship)

A flashback to the 2010/11 season, when former Boro academy player Danny Graham opened the scoring after just 17 seconds to put Watford on course for a 3-1 victory.

The afternoon wouldn’t get any better for the away side as Jordan Mutch doubled the scoreline and Graham made it three - all before 20 minutes. Highlights of the match begin just under 15 minutes into the video above.