• Watford have won their first game of the season in each of the last five years

• Charlton's three League One play-off games last season produced just two total goals

• Recommended bet: Watford to win

Charlton are back in the Championship after a five-year absence but the Addicks look worth opposing when they face an established second-tier team in Watford at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.

Nathan Jones' team finished last season in fine form to come fourth in League One, having been mostly outside the play-off positions until the final third of the campaign, and they saw off Wycombe and Leyton Orient in their post-season matches to secure promotion.

Watford have finished outside the top 10 in all three of their seasons since being relegated from the Premier League in 2022 but they look primed for a stronger campaign this time around.

Team news

Charlton's summer acquisitions include striker Charlie Kelman from QPR, winger Rob Apter from Blackpool and midfielder Harvey Knibbs from Reading.

Thomas Kaminski is likely to start in goal after joining from Luton, behind an all-new strike pairing of Kelman and Tanto Olaofe.

Centre-back Ryan Porteous has left Watford to join MLS side Los Angeles FC. 

Summer arrivals Luca Kjerrumgaard, Hector Kyprianou and Marc Bola all started the final friendly against Deportivo La Coruna, when recent signing Nestory Irankunda made an appearance from the bench.

Giorgi Chakvetadze is hoping to be fit after missing that match, but defender Mattie Pollock went off in the first half and is an injury doubt.

The latest Charlton vs Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet 

The stats

Watford won 3-2 at Millwall on the opening day of last season.

The Hornets began their 2024-25 campaign with five successive league and cup wins.

Both teams have scored in four of Watford's last five league games.

Watford won the last Championship meeting between the teams 5-0 in 2015.

Charlton kept clean sheets in all three of their League One play-off games last season.

Charlton lost only two of their 23 home league matches last season.

Prediction

The good times are back at Charlton after last season's successful League One play-off campaign but their return to the Championship is not likely to be easy and a potentially progressive Watford side should provide them with a stern first test.

While Charlton have shown they have no intention to make a quick return to the lower reaches of the EFL with some smart summer signings to strengthen their squad, there is a noticeable gap in standard between the two divisions and it may take them some time to find their feet.

Watford have yet to get involved in a promotion chase in three years since being relegated from the top flight but they look like they mean business this season under new manager Paulo Pezzolano.

Danish striker Luca Kjerrumgaard and winger Nestory Iranjunda appear to be particularly shrewd acquisitions and the Hornets can signal their intention to enjoy a more successful campaign by winning on the road.

Back Watford to win at 17/10 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Charlton vs Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet