Watford aim to extend record in Charlton Championship opener.

The start of the new season is still six weeks away, but the release of Watford’s fixtures means fans can begin planning for the campaign ahead – but nothing should be finalised until the TV selections are published.

However, arrangements can be made for the Hornets’ opening game of the new Championship season, which will be played against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, August 9.

Mileta Rajovic celebrates his late winner at Millwall last season, continuing Watford’s excellent run of opening-day victories.

(Image: PA.) A morning excursion south of the Thames will be required for away fans, as Sky Sports judged that the idea of a new Watford manager facing a newly promoted club in the opening game was appealing enough to show live in one of the 12.30pm kick-off slots. Paulo Pezzolano will, of course, be looking to start his Vicarage Road career with three points, but the visitors will also be looking to prolong their impressive record on the first day of the season.

As we observed when the fixtures were released, the Hornets had won their last five matches on the first day. Looking back farther, Watford has only lost one of its last 18 opening day games.

Supporters may have been forgiven for dreading the worst as Aidy Boothroyd’s side arrived to Molineux to begin the 2007/08 season, given the Hornets’ previous seven opening-day defeats. Wolves seized the lead and held it until three minutes from time, when Jordan Stewart levelled, before Marlon King converted a late penalty.

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Danny Graham scored twice in the triumph at Carrow Road, while Troy Deeney made his Watford debut (Image: Action Images). The next two seasons began with draws – 0-0 at Crystal Palace and 1-1 at home to Doncaster Rovers – before Watford opened 2010/11 with a remarkable 3-2 victory at Norwich City due to a John Eustace goal and a brace from Danny Graham.

In addition to the triumph, the visitors’ new signing made his debut in the second half. Troy Deeney was also a second-half substitute on the opening day of the next season, when the Hornets led 2-0 at Burnley thanks to goals from Craig Forsyth and Mark Yeates before being held to a 2-2 draw.

Fast forward a year, and Watford had new owners, with the Pozzo era beginning with another memorable 3-2 away win, this time at Selhurst Park, when Gianfranco Zola’s new-look Hornets were on the verge of defeat against Crystal Palace until Almen Abdi and Matej Vydra dramatically turned the game around late.

Matej Vydra’s late winner gave Watford a winning start to the Pozzo era in the league (Image: Action Images). Deeney delivered at his boyhood club on the first day of 2013/14, securing a 1-0 victory at Birmingham City, and he was on target again a year later, along with Vydra and Fernando Forestieri, as Bolton Wanderers were defeated 3-0 at Vicarage Road at the start of a season that would end with promotion to the Premier League.

Watford’s return to the Premier League began with a 2-2 draw at Everton, with Miguel Layun and Odion Igahlo putting the visitors ahead twice at Goodison Park, only for the hosts to level again in the 86th minute.

The following two seasons began with draws – 1-1 at Southampton and a thrilling 3-3 draw at Vicarage Road against Liverpool – before a Roberto Pereyra double propelled the Hornets to a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on the first day of the 2018/19 season.

Mileta Rajovic scored a stunning opening-day victory for the Hornets last season (Image: PA). The Seagulls returned to Vicarage Road at the start of the next season, but the tables were turned as they triumphed 3-0 to end their opponents’ 12-year unbeaten streak on the first day.

The current five-year winning streak began in the Championship in 2020/21 with a 1-0 home win over Middlesbrough, but Watford returned to the Premier League a year later and began the season with another thrilling 3-2 opening-day victory, this time over Aston Villa at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets have been in the Championship ever since, but each season has begun with three points: 1-0 at home to Sheffield United in 2022/23, a 4-0 victory over QPR a year later, and Mileta Rajovic’s late winner securing Watford’s latest 3-2 opening-day victory, this time at Millwall.

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