Following a break for international week, this weekend sees the return of Championship football and for Charlton, a home tie against second place Watford.
An unbeaten August in the league for the Addicks will give them confidence that they can continue their fine start, while the Hornets will be playing under Oscar Garcia for the first time since his arrival last week.
Saturday will also be remembered as a tribute for the late David Whyte who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 43.
The OppositionThe resignation of Beppe Sannino in late August came as quite a shock for fans and the media considering Watford’s terrific start in the Championship this season.
Sannino guided his team to second place and only suffered one defeat in the league this season, which was against Norwich, at Carrow Road.
His replacement Garcia had a year in charge at Brighton last season and is bizarrely the first Watford appointment since Graham Taylor in 1996, (excluding caretaker managers) to have had Championship/first division managerial experience prior to joining the Hornets.
Garcia will be looking forward to working with a very talented squad that includes the likes of Troy Deeney, Matej Vedra and Almen Abdi.
PAULIE’S HIGHLIGHTED PLAYERS TO WATCH:Watford:
The Hornets’ player to watch this weekend is striker and captain
Troy Deeney.
The striker decided to stay at Vicarage Road despite strong interest from Premier League teams and his loyalty to Watford is a huge boost for their higher tier ambitions.
The 26-year-old has already scored three goals this season and will be looking to build on his tally of 25 last season.
If you haven’t seen his striking attributes, take a look at this video (goal at The Valley last season at the end of the clip)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJszrM2tesoCharlton:The Addicks’ player to watch this Saturday is the Championship player-of-the-month for August:
Igor Vetokele.
The 22-year-old has made a fantastic start to his Charlton career since joining from F.C. Copenhagen, scoring five goals in his opening five league games.
He played for Angola during the international break, but despite not being as fresh as some for this weekend’s fixture, I still predict he’ll have a massive impact if Charlton want to get a result.
In case you haven’t seen his brace against Brighton:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E57e-xjtY5Q&list=UU99akEsugT_s4tv_r2oxuOQThe Line –Up It’s really difficult to see what side Bob Peeters will decide to pick, especially when taking the fitness levels of a few players into account.
In goal, Stephen Henderson will most likely occupy the sticks.
At the back, Solly, Wiggins, Bikey and Ben-Haim should start.
Johann Gudmundsson picked up an unknown injury during the international break with Iceland, so he is a doubt. His replacement on the right if not fit, will most likely be Lawrie Wilson.
Jordan Cousins, Johnnie Jackson and Yoni Buyens will contest for a spot in central midfield.
While on the left, Franck Moussa, Cousins, Harriott and new arrival Frederic Bulot will be in contention to start.
Despite only playing 45 minutes against Brighton, I can see George Tucudean starting alongside Igor Vetokele upfront. Meanwhile, Simon Church will be in Peeters’ thoughts following an excellent second half performance away at the Amex.
The PredictionWatford will still be getting used to Garcia’s methods, so I can actually see us nicking this.
I’ll go for a 2-1 victory.
Comments
Did someone say Warford had sold out the away end , very impressive if so
2-0 to us.
Him and Bulot both on the bench
Charlton 3-1 Watford (Mousa, Tucudean, Vetokele)
Igor in the first half.
Church with a last minute tap in.
I can't see us getting our first clean sheet in the league against these, as someone said they're too threatening. Can see a few goals for both sides.
4-2 Charlton.
Sorry can't be more optimistic about this one, hope I am wrong
Predict high scoring given the pace and quality of both attacks - a real test for Bikey and Ben Haim.
No idea who wins but really hoping to secure four points by 10pm Tuesday.
4-2 our goals from Igor, Tucudean & two(as always) for Wilson starting instead of an injured Gudmundsson.
Looking forward to watching this one on a stream, COYR!
But really, regardless of the score, this Saturday is all about remembering David Whyte Whyte Whyte
0-0 it is then! That is right - hopefully from our point of view we perform some what better than last season!
Going for a 1-1 and our first dropped points at home this season.
Which in this case is pretty good...much like yours though.
Both sides are better than last season - that is certain.
Player------Minutes--Defence--Attack--Possession-Score--Place
Forestieri----196-----29------167----minus6---190----4th
Abdi--------324-----36------110-------9-----155----24th
Gomes------450-----126-------0----minus15--111----46th
Tozser------372---minus11----90-------26----105----53rd
Deeny-------450------18-----108---minus46---79-----92nd
our top 5 are:
Vetokele-----450------8------235---minus63---180----9th
Ben Haim----450------106-----0--------22-----128----32nd
Bikey--------450------99------20-------8------127----33rd
Jackson------435------30------39-------29------98----61st
Buyens----- -450------23------26-------24------74----106th