Match Info

• Rotherham United v Watford
• Sky Bet Championship
• New York Stadium
• Saturday September 3, 3pm BST
• Black & white centenary third kit

Officials

• Referee: Leigh Doughty
• Assistants: Paul Hodskinson & Mark Dwyer
• Fourth Official: Andy Woolmer

Opposition

Rotherham sealed promotion to the Championship for the fourth time in nine seasons with a second-place finish in League One last term, and Paul Warne’s charges have started the fresh campaign strongly.

The Millers – who are hoping to quell a reputation for yo-yoing between the second and third tiers – tasted defeat for only the first time in 2022/23 as recently as Wednesday (August 31), when they went down 3-0 at Sunderland.

Currently 12th in the table – and having a game in hand on the majority of teams in the division – Rotherham will be quietly confident of bouncing back and upsetting the odds against the Hornets.

Key Stats

• The Hornets have won their last five league games against Rotherham by an aggregate score of 12-1.
• Rotherham are winless in eight league encounters against Watford, since winning home and away against the Hornets in 2002/03.
• Watford have completed the league double against the Millers in the last two seasons they’ve met in English football (2014/15 and 2020/21), scoring at least twice in all four matches.

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Rotherham United In Numbers.

Team News

Watford Head Coach Rob Edwards prepares his squad for the trip north accepting he’ll have to make a late call over the readiness of some of his players.

Ken Sema left the field nursing a groin against Middlesbrough last time out, but Craig Cathcart and Keinan Davis are both in contention.

For full Watford team news, click HERE.

Grant Hall and Cohen Bramall are doubts for Rotherham.

What Are They Saying?

Rob Edwards, Watford Head Coach:

“Rotherham have had a good start, and they’re going to provide another difficult test. They mix things up well, and from having looked at them I know they play a good brand of effective football.

“Paul [Warne]’s done a very good job and he’s built up a great connection with the club. I came across him once when I was the first-team coach at Wolves so I’m looking forward to seeing him again, but hopefully it’ll be me who’s the happier of the two of us!”

Paul Warne, Rotherham United manager:

“We’re playing against a very good team at the weekend, there’s no disputing that.

“Watford have been playing really well, they’ve battered teams on chances and have a real threat. It will be a really big game for us.

“We just want a good performance and if we were to get it, it would go down as a big one.”

Head-to-Head

Overall:

Won: 14

Drawn: 7

Lost: 6

Last Six:

March 2021: Rotherham United 1-4 Watford (Championship)

December 2020: Watford 2-0 Rotherham United (Championship)

February 2015: Watford 3-0 Rotherham United (Championship)

August 2014: Rotherham United 0-2 Watford (Championship)

April 2005: Rotherham United 0-1 Watford (Championship)

November 2004: Watford 0-0 Rotherham United (Championship)

Golden Flashback

Francisco Sierralta scored his first Watford goal to set the tone for a comfortable 4-1 win for the Hornets the last time the teams met in South Yorkshire.

Ismaïla Sarr, Ken Sema and Dan Gosling also got on the scoresheet, as Xisco Muñoz’s men took another step towards promotion to the Premier League in the 2020/21 season.

Follow Live!

Domestic and overseas supporters can access live coverage of Rotherham United v Watford, via the Hornets’ Hive Live streaming service with Jon Marks and Tommy Mooney.

Click HERE for more information on how to follow the enticing clash.

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