This Week's Opposition: Watford

Pompey's Boxing Day opponents are picked apart by Pompey Live and The Football Hour host Jake Smith.

Following a Callum Lang masterclass against Coventry City last time out, the Blues head into their Boxing Day clash at Watford out of the relegation zone.

A win at Vicarage Road is not something any visiting side has achieved yet this season, but all records must come to an end at some point, right?

MANAGER

Since March, former Manchester United, Everton and even Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley has been in charge of The Hornets, who had just sacked Valérien Ismaël.

Cleverley was initially appointed on an interim deal but was given the head coach role on a permanent basis following just 1 defeat from 7 games during his interim period.

This is the 35-year-old’s first managerial position and so far, he has achieved a win percentage of 42.

ONE TO WATCH

Attacking midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze has been selected as our one to watch for this game.

The 25-year-old signed for the club on a permanent deal in the summer off the back of an impressive loan spell from Belgian Pro League outfit K.A.A. Gent last season.

Chakvetadze was an integral part of the Georgia side that famously made it through to the EURO 2024 knockout stages after beating Portugal in their final group match, though they were then beaten by eventual winners Spain in the Round of 16.

TOP SCORER

With 9 league goals to his name, striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo is currently Watford’s leading scorer.

The 27-year-old is joint-3rd in the Championship goalscoring leaderboard alongside Callum Lang and Middlesbrough forward Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Bayo has struck 5 times in his last 9 appearances including a brace in a 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion on December the 15th.

CURRENT FORM

As a result of an overall record of 10 wins, 4 draws and 7 defeats from 21 games played, Watford sit 8th in the Championship table with 34 points on the board.

The Hornets boast one of the division’s best home records - They’re unbeaten at Vicarage Road to this point and it’s the away form that has let Tom Cleverley’s side down this season, winning 2 and losing 7 of their 11 fixtures on the road.

On Saturday, Watford were beaten 2-1 away at Burnley.

Can the Blues make it 2 wins from 2 and spread even more Christmas cheer across the South Coast?

Catch all of the unmissable action on Pompey Live with Jake Smith and Andrew Barnard, who will be reporting LIVE from Vicarage Road between 14:00-17:30 on Boxing Day (December 26th).

Kick-off: 3pm!