Watford continues their pre-season schedule with a friendly against Boreham Wood on Wednesday night. This match will be pivotal for both teams as they prepare for their respective upcoming seasons.
Watford, a Championship side, has already played a game ahead of the 2024-25 season, while Boreham Wood, playing in the National League South, will be participating in their first fixture under new management.
Watford's Form and New Era
Watford is under the new leadership of Tom Cleverley, who impressed during his interim run last season.
Despite a disappointing 15th place finish in the Championship, the club is hopeful for a successful new era. Watford has signed three new players: goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, playmaker Rocco Vata, and forward Mamadou Doumbia.
The sale of Ismael Kone to Marseille has provided funds for further additions, fueling optimism among the fanbase.
However, Watford did face a setback with a 2-0 defeat against Reading in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Boreham Wood's New Beginnings
Boreham Wood is also beginning a new chapter under Ross Jenkins, a former Watford player.
Jenkins arrives after a two-year stint with Oxford City, where he achieved promotion to the National League for the first time in their history before relegation last season.
Boreham Wood is aiming for an immediate bounce-back promotion after a disappointing 2023-24 season.
Jenkins has already signed three players: Charlie O'Connell from Peterborough United, Josh Hare, and Johnny Goddard from Dagenham & Redbridge and Slough Town, respectively.
Team News
Watford
Watford's squad for this match remains uncertain as the team has not revealed their selection for the previous game against Reading.
Notably, Yaser Asprilla is absent due to his participation in the Copa America with Colombia, and Ryan Porteous was with Scotland at Euro 2024.
The availability of these players will be key for Watford's performance in this friendly.
Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood's coach Ross Jenkins is likely to give playing time to as many first-team players as possible, potentially naming separate teams for each half to maximize player fitness and assessment opportunities.
Prediction
Given Watford's superior quality and the fact that they have already played a game this pre-season, they are expected to win comfortably.
Boreham Wood might manage to score a consolation goal, but Watford's experience and preparation should see them through.
Watford 
Boreham 
