Hornets v Clarets Match Preview.
Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER.
Kick-off 20.00 Friday 12th August 2022.
Available on SKY Sports from 19.00.

Luton Town have been and departed with a valuable away point and reminded Clarets’ fans that for all the excitement about Kompany’s new signings, Burnley “old-boys” Roberts, Taylor, Cork, and Brownhill still looked the real deal in a hard-fought encounter with the Hatters.

Prior to the Clarets away game at Vicarage Road, it’s worth mentioning young loanees Taylor Bellis-Harwood and Ian Maatsen are two wonderful prospects, I seriously hope plans are in progress to make the loans permanent, that really would be a serious statement of intent from “Project Kompany”.

I suspect the Barnfield training ground will be a hive of activity this week as Kompany attempts to fully integrate the likes of Benson, Costelloe, and Bastien into a cohesive attacking force while simultaneously working how to defend set pieces. Rob Edwards the Hornets manager will have no doubt spotted the Clarets’ new look defence appear vulnerable to “air bombs” following the Luton encounter.

Watford host Burnley on the back of a well-earned but probably undeserved Monday night point at the Hawthorns. Steve Bruce’s West Bromwich Albion had more than enough chances to comfortably win the game. The profligate Karlan Grant missed a host of golden chances for the Baggies. A moment of genius from Ismaili Sarr gave the Hornets the lead with a 12th minute 60-yard screamer but then somewhat blotted his copybook by later missing a 73rd minute penalty.

One’s to watch: Watford’s Ismaili Sarr & Emmanuel Dennis and Burnley’s Manuel Benson and Ian Maatsen.


Verdict: The Hornets always prove to be a big, awkward, and well drilled outfit which for me just about sums up most Championship teams. Kompany has got his team playing the ball on the deck rather than in the air. A draw seems to be the natural conclusion to this game.

Footnote: Former Burnley & Watford manager Sean Dyche will no doubt be in the stands watching his former charges. A lot has changed at Turf Moor and Vicarage Road since he left the manager’s hot seat at both clubs. Friday night’s protagonists joined Norwich City through the EPL trapdoor in May and both teams will be desperate not to lose this fixture and look to collect points to mount the road back to the promised land of the EPL’s milk and honey.

From: The Editor’s Chair – Clarets Mad.

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