Watford

Middlesbrough will seek to get back to winning ways as they head to Watford on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Boro made hard work of a 1-1 draw against Wrexham at the Riverside last time out to fall three points behind Coventry, who overcame the 10-man Hornets 3-1 on the same afternoon.

Rob Edwards' side have claimed 11 points from their six away games this season, though their only defeat in their opening 12 games came on the road at Portsmouth.

Javi Gracia's men sit in 14th but have taken 13 points from their six home games and have won the past three at Vicarage Road, all by a 2-1 scoreline.

• Watford have won each of their past two league games against Middlesbrough and will be looking to win three in succession versus Boro for the first time in their EFL history.

• This century, Middlesbrough have won just two of their 12 away league games against Watford (D2 L8), losing on three of their past four visits to Vicarage Road.

• Watford have won 11 points from losing positions in the Championship so far this season, the most of any side in the competition.

• Excluding own goals, Middlesbrough have had the most different goalscorers so far in the 2025-26 Championship campaign (11).

• Watford remain the only Championship side without a clean sheet this season after 12 matches – it is the furthest the Hornets have ever gone into a second-tier campaign without keeping one.

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It is not often you come away from a 3-1 loss against an undefeated side and feel like you deserved all three points.

But that was the main takeaway for most Watford supporters following our defeat by Coventry City – a sense of a missed opportunity to kick-start a season that could be quietly brewing.

Despite the inclusion of the seemingly ever-present old guard of Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe, a starting line-up that included Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia and Rocco Vata gave hope we might be able to take the game to Frank Lampard's high-flying side.

And this theory was almost instantly proved right as Vata failed to convert a huge chance in the opening minutes – a tale that would repeat itself a little too often.

In truth, Vata could have won the match single-handedly. And while no Watford fan would hold it against the young forward following his game-winner in midweek, it feels like finishing practice for all will be on the cards in training.

I am not usually one for xG (Expected Goals), but the statistic sums up the performance perfectly – Coventry City 1.31 xG and Watford 2.76 xG.

And that is not to mention more shots, more shots on target, more touches in the opposition box – and the fact Egil Selvik did not make a single save.

Despite it being two losses in his first three games for Javi Gracia, there are signs of potential. And even Coventry City supporters have been complimentary of our performance, with many suggesting the Hornets could find themselves near the top of the table come the business end of the campaign.

While those who did not watch the full 90 minutes of action may look at the result and assume it was another high-scoring walk in the park for the home side, most fans came away with a sense of positivity – something that has been hard to come by in recent times.

So it goes to show that sometimes there is more to a match than just a scoreline.

Image source, Getty Images

Watford manager Javi Gracia praised the attitude shown by his side despite going down to 10 men and a 3-1 defeat against Championship leaders Coventry City.

Speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties after the third game of his second spell in the Hornets' dugout, Gracia said: "From my point of view we played very well most of the game.

"I am happy with my team as they showed a good attitude and dominated the game. In the second half with one player less we conceded no shots on target and we were able to score a goal," he said.

"If we control a little bit better the first half we could have had a result. We had two 'one v ones' with Rocco [Vata] but their keeper made great saves. You have to finish with composure and finish well.

"If we want better results we need to be more constant. But today we could see a team. With some mistakes that penalise us, yes. But a real team."

Championship leaders Coventry head into this game as the EFL's only unbeaten side and with a one-point lead over Middlesbrough.

Watford collected their first win under returning boss Javi Gracia when beating West Brom 2-1 on Wednesday but, along with Ipswich, are the only side without an away win in the division.

• Coventry City have only lost one of their last 12 league games against Watford (W4 D7) and none of the previous seven encounters (W3 D4).

• Since a run of three successive wins between October 2007 and May 2010, Watford are winless on each of their past six league visits to Coventry (D4 L2).

• Coventry have won each of their previous five league games; only twice before (in August 1954 and September 1964) have they won six successive games in the Football League.

• Watford are without an away league win in their past 11 matches (D3 L8); they're the only ever-present Championship side without a league win on the road since March.

• Coventry's Brandon Thomas-Asante has either scored or assisted in each of his past five Championship games, registering as many goal involvements in this run as in his prior 15 matches in the competition (7 – 6 goals, 1 assist).

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

With the negativity that had been looming over the club in recent weeks, a home win under the lights is exactly what was needed to lift the mood at Vicarage Road.

Much like Saturday, there was a sense of mystery as to how Javi Gracia would set up his team.

But unlike our previous fixture, there was finally a feeling of optimism with the presence of youth in the starting line-up, namely Rocco Vata, and an impressive appearance off the bench from Mamadou Doumbia.

While we did still see substitute apperances from the likes of Edo Kayembe, Moussa Sissoko and Tom Ince, the inclusion of exciting, youthful talent in the team had been exactly what the supporters had been calling for.

And it was a decision that paid dividends, as 20-year-old Irishman Vata bagged a much-needed winner against the Baggies.

But he is not the only 20-year-old on the books at Watford to be excited about.

Image source, Getty Images

While it would be a lie to suggest many Hornets supporters have seen Othmane Maamma play live, that certainly will not stop any of us thinking he could be the next big thing.

The young Moroccan captained his country to victory in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup this week – being named the best player at the tournament along the way.

And no wonder there is a buzz about Maamma's potential, after he joined a prestigious list of those who have claimed the prize in the past, including Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba and Dominic Solanke.

While he was signed from Montpellier as one for the future and is yet to make his Hornets debut, he has certainly made his case to be included in the first team set-up – hopefully adding to the list of young, talented wide players Gracia has at his disposal.

So, after a lacklustre return, perhaps the future is looking brighter than we thought for the manager.

But all this positivity could so easily come crashing down as we have the small task of facing an undefeated Coventry City side at the weekend, who have scored as many league goals this season as we have in the entire calendar year of 2025.

Watford boss Javi Gracia, speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio after Wednesday's 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion:

"I'm very pleased with the final result and with the way we did it. The team showed the real spirit that we need to play the games.

"We started losing but we were able to come back and, not only that, we continued trying to score the third one.

"Of course in the last minutes we had to defend the result, but that is the spirit I'm looking for.

"I'm really proud, not only with the players that played today, but the whole squad. All of them are working really well and we will need all of them for the rest of the season."

Image source, PA Media

Javi Gracia is expecting a "special" evening when he sits in the Watford dugout at Vicarage Road for the first time in over six years.

The Spaniard returned to the club last week as head coach following the departure of predecessor Paulo Pezzolano.

His last home game in charge during his first spell with the Hornets was in August 2019 and he said: "It will be amazing, something really special for me, to be in Vicarage Road, in that atmosphere, to feel what I felt in the past - I am looking forward to that moment and it's something I am going to enjoy."

Watford start Wednesday evening's game against West Bromwich Albion in 16th place in the table following a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United at the weekend.

"We have players with skills, players with power we need, we have experienced players, but all these things we have, we have to show on the pitch every day," Gracia said.

"There is a distance we have to cover, something we have to do. In the last game, my first game, we didn't play our best level but we could have got a better result with the chances we had.

"We have to be demanding with ourselves and then I'm sure day by day, game by game, we'll improve."

Vicarage Road will welcome back boss Javi Gracia when they host West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

Gracia, who is just starting out his second spell in charge of the Hornets, will be looking to claim a first win under his current tenure as he makes his first appearance on home soil this season.

The Baggies will not make it an easy task though. They won last time out to sail into the top six and will have little desire to depart their comfy play-off spot.

• Watford are unbeaten in seven home league games against West Brom (W4 D3) since a 3-0 reverse in November 2007.

• West Brom's only win in their last nine league games against Watford (D4 L4) was their most recent, winning 2-1 in April.

• Watford have won both of their last two home league games, last winning more in a row in November 2024 (5).

• West Brom have won three of their last five away league outings (L2), this after only winning one of 20 beforehand (D11 L8).

• This will be Javi Gracia's second league meeting with West Brom, winning the other 1-0 with Watford in the Premier League in March 2018.

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

There is nothing my beloved football club loves more than getting the band back together.

And while Watford supporters are more than used to the managerial merry-go-round, there was finally a sense of optimism with the return of our most successful manager of recent times.

For fans too young to have experienced the joys of the 1980s, Javi Gracia's first spell at Vicarage Road was as good as it gets, as the Spaniard was at the helm for one of the greatest ever Watford moments – the famous FA Cup semi-final comeback against Wolves.

An 11th-place finish in the Premier League, an FA Cup final – the less said about the result of that, the better – but an all-round positive feel at the club.

Javi Gracia. Back in the dugout. Against a side yet to win at home. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, any feelings of excitement or optimism have already been brought right back down to reality.

There was hope that a new manager would mean a new lease of life for the likes of Kwadwo Baah and the hope that we may finally unlock the raw ability we know is there.

But as soon as the line-up against Sheffield United was announced, it felt like one step forward and two steps back.

Gracia's rigid formation and his use of four central midfielders meant there was no place for the likes of Baah and Rocco Vata – to the dismay of many supporters.

To most, it feels obvious that our star quality comes from the wide areas. So to look at the players at your disposal and still land on Edo Kayembe and Moussa Sissoko felt like a missed opportunity.

But that perhaps should not come as a surprise having appointed a manager with a clear, long-standing style of play.

It is still early doors in the season, and under the new regime, but it is hard not to feel like it was an opportunity missed against a struggling Blades side.

Nothing like a new manager bounce...

Watford boss Javi Gracia endured a losing start to his second spell in charge and claimed his side lost at Sheffield United because they did not take their chances.

Gracia felt Caleb Wiley's miss just after half-time at 0-0 was the game's key moment as United took full advantage to win through Callum O'Hare's goal.

Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio: "We knew before coming here that it would be a demanding game, a tough game because we knew our opponent would be aggressive, they would have pressure.

"In the beginning of the second half, we had a big chance to change the game if Caleb [Wiley] had scored.

"You have to take this chance. If you don't, it's normal that the team playing at home, they find some moments and they play better. They created some chances and they scored the goal.

"It was an equal game where the details made the difference. That's all."

Image source, Rex Features

Watford head coach Javi Gracia will be surrounded by familiar faces at Vicarage Road after confirming his backroom team.

Fellow Spaniards Zigor Aranalde, Juan Solla and Inigo Arteaga all worked alongside Gracia during his first spell in charge in 2018-19.

Assistant coach Aranalde was also part of Tom Cleverley's staff from February until the end of last season.

Solla and Artega will fill fitness and goalkeeping coach roles, the latter replacing Alex Brunner, who has left the club after three-and-a-half years.

Watford are still waiting for a work permit for Pablo Mandiola, who has previously worked for the academy, women's side and first-team and will be the club's video analyst.

Javi Gracia will head up with his first game in charge of Watford (well, this time around anyway) as they take a trip to basement dwellers Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Hornets had enjoyed a real uptick in results over the past three games (W2 D1) but it wasn't enough to save former boss Paulo Pezzolano from his doomed fate.

Gracia will need to make a quick start though given that his predecessor left on a high and now they face a side who have lost all but one game so far this season (W1).

• Sheffield United have won each of their last three league games against Watford, last winning four in a row in August 1994.

• Watford have lost five of their last eight away league games against Sheffield United (W1 D2), failing to score on their previous two visits.

• Sheffield United have lost eight of their first nine league games this season (W1), the first time a second tier side has done that since 1988-89 (Brighton also W1 D0 L8). The last side at this level to start a season with nine losses in their first 10 was Oldham in 1928-29.

• Watford are unbeaten in their last three league games (W2 D1), picking up more points (7) than in their previous 11 league matches (6 – W1 D3 L7).

• Watford have earned more points from losing positions than any other side in the Championship this season (8), seven of which have come in their last three games.

Image source, BBC Three Counties Radio

New Watford head coach Javi Gracia has revealed he kept a close eye on the club last season prior to being re-appointed earlier this month.

The Spaniard agreed to return to Vicarage Road, having been in charge previously in 2018-19 when they were in the Premier League, in place of sacked Paulo Pezzolano, following talks with owner Gino Pozzo.

"For me to be happy in a club, to enjoy it day by day is what I really want to do in my job. Before coming, I spoke with Gino and explained to him what I was thinking before coming and I think we found a meeting point where we can work again together and enjoy this new experience," he said.

"The owner thinks I'm the best option to come here and I always will be ready to help Watford, for sure. I had many other options to work in other countries and in my country as well.

"I watched many games of Watford last season when Tom (Cleverley) was the manager - Tom was my player (for the club) and I was supporting him. I know very well the team, the players, all the club in general."

Asked what had changed since his departure six years ago, he replied: "For me the club doesn't change too much. It is similar to when I left Watford but now it is a different competition but with the same objective, try to win the next game, try to be on top, try to be the best, that's our mentality."

Gracia's first match in charge in his second spell is away to Sheffield United - managed by ex-Watford boss Chris Wilder - on Saturday.

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Javi Gracia starts his second spell as Watford head coach away to Chris Wilder's Sheffield United on Saturday.

The pair could exchange plenty of juicy stories about their respective spells at Vicarage Road, but it is Gracia's job now to get Watford back into the top flight - where he was with them six years ago. Gracia wants even more; he says he has unfinished business.

His team back then included some wonderful talent including Gerard Deulofeu, Roberto Pererya, Etienne Capoue, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney.

He does not have that calibre of player this time round but what he does have is plenty of potential - a group of players who could develop into top players. The question is whether Gracia can get the best out of what could be a really exciting squad forming at Vicarage Road.

Nestory Irankunda has been the player to emerge brightest of this new young crop. If Gracia can get Kwadwo Baah into the team with Irankunda, that will go down well with the fans and no doubt the board.

Watford are still waiting for Giorgi Chakvetadze to return from injury and the form of Othmane Maamma at the Under-20 World Cup with Morocco - he scored a scissor-kick goal against Brazil - has also caught the eye. Could he figure sooner than we thought under Gracia?

In his first spell, Watford played an attacking 4-3-3 formation. This will suit the Hornets' current squad profile and if it clicks in the Championship, these attacking players could blitz teams.

Watford's squad is pretty strong in most areas of the pitch and Gracia just has to glue it all together.

The players will enjoy being coached by him and already there are more smiles at the London Colney training ground.

The promotion ambitions remain in place and under Gracia, if history tells us anything, Watford stand a good chance of getting close to them.

Watford assistant sporting director Valon Behrami says the decision to replace head coach Paulo Pezzolano with former boss Javi Gracia was "much needed".

The Hornets sacked Pezzolano on Wednesday, just 10 games into his tenure, despite having enjoyed a recent upturn in results in the Championship.

Watford had claimed seven points out of nine across their past three league matches to put them just three points outside of the top six in 11th place.

But despite the side beginning to find its feet, Behrami confirmed that "language was the barrier" for the Uruguayan.

"The results are a part of that, even if in the last week we saw a lot of improvement, that's not where we want to be as a position," Behrami told BBC Radio 3CR.

"We saw the ability of Javi Gracia and we thought it was the best solution for our future before it gets too late. We thought a lot about the decision but it was the right decision and the right moment to do that.

"We have still a lot of time but it's important to have such a manager who doesn't even need the time to settle in because he knows everyone at the club, he knows everything about our supporters."

The appointment marks Gracia's second spell with the club, having been sacked in 2019 after 20 months in the role.

Image source, Rex Features

Watford were building in the right direction to achieve promotion to the Premier League, according to sacked boss Paulo Pezzolano.

The Uruguayan has been replaced by the returning Javi Gracia at Vicarage Road, having taken charge of only 10 games.

In a parting message to supporters on social media, , externalPezzolano says he was confident of delivering a return to the top flight.

"After months of intense work at every level, the results showed that we were building in the right direction to reach our goal of returning to the Premier League this season, with a squad capable of achieving it," he said.

"We had full confidence in that and a firm belief that we could do it, always staying true to our principles."

The former Real Valladolid head coach goes on to thank his players and club staff for their work during his time with the Hornets.