For many football supporters, Watford were seen as a surprise package last season after they were within 90 minutes of the Premier League, losing to Crystal Palace by a solitary goal in the Championship Play-Off Final.
A lot of questions were asked during the summer months as to whether or not the Hornets could respond positively and mount a serious promotion challenge for a second consecutive season.
Under the guidance of Italian footballing hero Gianfranco Zola, Watford have shown superb character in the opening 15 league games of the season and currently lie in seventh spot, only one point adrift of the play-off positions.
Despite losing the services of Championship Player of the Year Matěj Vydra, Zola was shrewd in the transfer market and drafted in Josh McEachran from Chelsea and Nottingham Forest attacker Lewis McGugan.
However in recent weeks Watford have suffered a slump in form, losing their last two games on home soil against Midlands duo Leicester City and Derby County.
This weekend will be the 23rd time the two sides have met in league action, with Watford having the upper hand with ten victories compared to Bolton’s eight.
The Watford team which drew 2-2 at Middlesbrough before the international break:
Almunia, Doyley (Belkalem 46), Angella, Cassetti; Faraoni, Murray, Iriney (McEachran 68), McGugan (Battocchio 76), Pudil; Deeney, Foresteiri
Subs not used: Bond, Acuna, Fabbrini, Anya.
A lot of questions were asked during the summer months as to whether or not the Hornets could respond positively and mount a serious promotion challenge for a second consecutive season.
Under the guidance of Italian footballing hero Gianfranco Zola, Watford have shown superb character in the opening 15 league games of the season and currently lie in seventh spot, only one point adrift of the play-off positions.
Despite losing the services of Championship Player of the Year Matěj Vydra, Zola was shrewd in the transfer market and drafted in Josh McEachran from Chelsea and Nottingham Forest attacker Lewis McGugan.
However in recent weeks Watford have suffered a slump in form, losing their last two games on home soil against Midlands duo Leicester City and Derby County.
This weekend will be the 23rd time the two sides have met in league action, with Watford having the upper hand with ten victories compared to Bolton’s eight.
The Watford team which drew 2-2 at Middlesbrough before the international break:
Almunia, Doyley (Belkalem 46), Angella, Cassetti; Faraoni, Murray, Iriney (McEachran 68), McGugan (Battocchio 76), Pudil; Deeney, Foresteiri
Subs not used: Bond, Acuna, Fabbrini, Anya.
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