Watford Vs Plymouth

Watford will be aiming to maintain their impressive early season momentum when they welcome Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle to Vicarage Road on Tuesday for their second-round clash in the EFL Cup. The Hornets come into this fixture on the back of an emphatic 5-0 victory over MK Dons in the first round on August 13, while Plymouth Argyle, under the stewardship of Wayne Rooney, also secured their spot in the next round with a dominant 3-0 triumph over Cheltenham Town on the same day. Both teams will be looking to continue their cup journey as they seek to build upon their respective performances in the competition.

Match Preview

Watford's Mileta Rajovic celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Den, London, on August 10, 2024. [Image Credit: Imago]

In their previous outing against MK Dons, Watford delivered a commanding performance that was driven by the outstanding contributions of Thomas Ince, who was the star of the show. Ince not only netted a hat-trick but also provided an assist, highlighting his influence on the pitch. The versatile winger has been pivotal in Watford's attacking prowess, and his ability to both score and create chances has made him a key figure for the Hornets. Alongside Ince, Matthew Pollock and Kwadwo Baah added their names to the scoresheet, further underlining the attacking depth within Tom Cleverley’s squad.

The 5-0 scoreline in favor of Watford did not flatter them; rather, it was a fair reflection of their dominance. The Hornets restricted MK Dons to a mere three attempts inside their penalty area while creating an astonishing 24 shots of their own, 18 of which came from inside the box. This ruthless efficiency in the final third, combined with 57% possession, ensured that Watford remained firmly in control throughout the match. Such attacking fluidity and defensive solidity have been hallmarks of their early-season form, and they will be eager to replicate this against Plymouth Argyle.

Currently, Watford sit second in the Championship standings, boasting an impressive tally of nine points from their opening three league fixtures. This strong start to the season has been built on a foundation of attacking football, with Watford averaging the second-highest number of shots on target per match in the division. Moreover, they have created the third-most big chances of any team in the Championship, reflecting their ability to carve open defenses with regularity. Head coach Tom Cleverley has clearly instilled a sense of attacking intent within his squad, and this approach has yielded positive results thus far.

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Watford at The Den, London, England, on August 10, 2024. [Image Credit: Imago]

Under the leadership of Cleverley, Watford has evolved into a team that blends possession-based football with a direct, attacking threat. The Hornets' tactical setup allows them to control games while remaining dangerous in transition. Their ability to create and convert chances has been a key feature of their play, and Cleverley’s managerial philosophy appears to be paying dividends early in the season.

Plymouth Argyle’s Form and Prospects

On the other hand, Plymouth Argyle enter this fixture after a similarly commanding first-round performance in the EFL Cup, where they dispatched Cheltenham Town with relative ease. Goals from Ben Waine, Ryan Hardie, and Mustapha Bundu sealed the 3-0 victory, and much like Watford, Plymouth's dominance was evident throughout the match. The Greens enjoyed 70% possession, took 32 shots, and limited their opponents to just three attempts inside their penalty area. This level of control was a clear indication of their superiority, and Wayne Rooney will be hoping his team can replicate that performance when they face a much sterner test in Watford.

Despite their cup success, Plymouth’s league form has been less convincing. They currently find themselves languishing in 21st place in the Championship, with just two points from their opening three games. Their campaign began with a dismal 4-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday on August 11, a result that exposed some of the frailties within the team. However, Plymouth has shown resilience in bouncing back from that heavy loss by securing consecutive 1-1 draws against Hull City and Queens Park Rangers. While these results have offered some solace, the team remains in the lower reaches of the league table and will need to find greater consistency if they are to avoid a prolonged battle against relegation.

Rooney's leadership has been tested early in the season, particularly in their recent draw against Queens Park Rangers on August 24. In that match, Plymouth had to overcome significant adversity, as they were reduced to 10 men following Adam Forshaw’s red card in the 29th minute. Despite this setback, Rooney’s side displayed commendable character and resilience to hold on for a draw, with Freddie Issaka also being sent off in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half. Rooney praised his team’s fighting spirit and their ability to secure a point despite being a man down for the majority of the game. This mental toughness will be crucial as they face the challenge of taking on an in-form Watford side in the EFL Cup.

Tactical Battle and Key Players

The upcoming EFL Cup clash between Watford and Plymouth Argyle is likely to be an intriguing tactical battle, with both teams employing contrasting styles of play. Watford, under Cleverley, have adopted a possession-based approach that emphasizes controlling the tempo of the game while utilizing quick transitions to create goal-scoring opportunities. The Hornets have been highly effective in breaking down opposition defenses, as evidenced by their high shot conversion rate and the number of big chances they have created.

Ince will once again be a key player for Watford, with his ability to drift infield from the wings and create space for his teammates proving to be a valuable asset. His direct running and eye for goal make him a constant threat, and Plymouth’s defense will need to be on high alert to contain him. In addition to Ince, the likes of Baah and Pollock have also contributed significantly to Watford’s attacking play, providing further options in the final third.

For Plymouth, the key to success will lie in their ability to frustrate Watford and capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities that arise. Rooney's team is likely to adopt a more pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive solidity while looking to exploit spaces left behind by Watford’s forward surges. The attacking trio of Waine, Hardie, and Bundu will be crucial in this regard, as they possess the pace and technical ability to trouble Watford’s defense on the break.

Waine, in particular, has shown glimpses of his quality in front of goal, and his partnership with Hardie has the potential to cause problems for opposing defenses. Meanwhile, Bundu’s physical presence and ability to hold up the ball could provide Plymouth with a useful outlet when they are under pressure. If Plymouth can stay compact defensively and remain disciplined, they will have a chance to spring a surprise against their more fancied opponents.

Predictions and Expectations

As both teams prepare to lock horns at Vicarage Road, the expectation is that Watford will head into the match as strong favorites. Their early-season form in both the league and cup competitions has been impressive, and their attacking prowess suggests that they will create numerous chances against Plymouth. Cleverley’s side has shown that they are capable of dominating possession and converting that dominance into goals, which makes them a formidable opponent.

However, Plymouth cannot be underestimated, particularly given their ability to respond to adversity, as demonstrated in their recent draw against QPR. Rooney’s side may be struggling in the Championship, but cup competitions often provide a different kind of challenge, and Plymouth will be motivated to cause an upset. Their ability to control possession and create chances against lower-league opposition in the first round suggests that they have the potential to hurt Watford if given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of this match will likely be determined by which team can impose their style of play on the game. If Watford can dictate proceedings as they have done in their previous fixtures, they should have enough firepower to overcome Plymouth and advance to the next round. However, if Plymouth can frustrate their opponents and remain compact defensively, they may be able to push the game into a tight contest and possibly force an upset.

Conclusion

Watford’s EFL Cup encounter with Plymouth Argyle promises to be an intriguing contest between two Championship sides with contrasting fortunes at the start of the season. Watford will be confident of continuing their strong run of form, while Plymouth will be eager to prove that they can compete with the league’s top teams despite their struggles in the Championship. As the two sides prepare to face off at Vicarage Road, all eyes will be on whether Watford’s attacking firepower or Plymouth’s resilience will prevail in what promises to be a captivating cup tie.