A neat exchange of passes sees Watford turn defence into attack.

It results in Roberto Pereyra taking on Brighton captain Bruno - and winning - but the ball runs behind for a goal-kick.

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Here we go, then!

There's a switch of ends before referee Jon Moss gives his whistle a blast... and the 2018-19 season starts here for Watford and Brighton.

The home side will shoot from left to right in this first half.

If you're just joining me, here's a reminder of how they line-up...

The two teams are making their way out to the pitch at Vicarage Road.

Watford are in their new home kit of vertical yellow and black stripes, with Brighton in their usual blue and white stripes.

The last time Watford and Brighton met at Vicarage Road was just under a year ago... and it wasn't a classic.

It ended goalless in a match which saw Miguel Britos sent off for a reckless first-half challenge on Anthony Knockaert. The Uruguayan is on the bench for the hosts this time around.

The reverse saw Brighton sneak a 1-0 win at the Amex, care of Pascal Gross.

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So, surely we're overdue some goals in this fixture?!

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator

Watford finished one place and one point above Brighton at the end of last season, with both clubs having breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.

And yet the results in the final quarter of last season give cause for concern, as Watford start a fourth successive Premier League campaign and Brighton their second.

Image source, Reuters

Watford have never won their opening fixture in the Premier League, and this is certainly a tough one to predict with any degree of conviction.

A repeat of last year's goalless draw will probably end up last in the running order on Match of Day, so let's hope for a thriller instead!

Watford

• Watford have won only one of their last nine Premier League matches, losing five.
• The Hornets failed to score in four of their final five games last season.
• No club conceded more home goals than the 31 let in by Watford in 2017-18.

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Brighton & Hove Albion

• The Seagulls recorded just one victory in their final nine league fixtures last season, 1-0 at home to Manchester United in May.
• Chris Hughton's side had the worst away record in the Premier League last season, with just 11 points accrued.
• Pascal Gross was directly involved in 15 of Brighton's 34 goals last season, scoring seven goals and assisting eight.

Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom tells BBC South Today the club are targeting Premier League survival this season.

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender and BBC football expert

I am going with a Watford win here, but I don't see Brighton going down this season.

Prediction: 1-0

• Lawro's full predictions v Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas

You'll love Joe's prediction, Watford fans... viewer discretion is advised for Seagulls supporters, though!

Watford head coach Javi Gracia:

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"I think, playing at home, I believe we are able to win that game. It will be very demanding but we are going to try to do it.

"I like to try to explain to the players that we can win all the games we are going to play, we can do it."

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton:

Image source, PA

"Would I take 17th? Probably the bigger part of me says yes because my responsibility is to make sure this club is in the Premier League the following season.

"But we have to think about Watford on Saturday and trying to get a result there. We will go into every game looking to get something."

Javi Gracia gives summer signing Ben Foster a first start in goal for Watford since May 2007.

The Englishman joined The Hornets from relegated West Brom in the summer, having previously spent two loan spells at Vicarage Road while on the books at Man Utd.

Summer signings Adam Masina and Ken Sema are on the bench for the home side.

Watford XI: Foster, Janmaat, Deeney, Cathcart, Doucoure, Gray, Hughes, Holebas, Kabasele, Capoue, Pereyra.

Brighton also name a side with a familiar feel to it, although Brazilian left-back Bernardo is handed a debut by boss Chris Hughton.

Club record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who featured for Iran at the World Cup, is on the bench. Fellow new boys Leon Balogun and Yves Bissouma are also named as substitutes for the Seagulls.

Brighton XI: Ryan, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Stephens, Knockaert, Gross, March, Propper, Bernardo.

If you're still caught in something of a World Cup induced stupor, it's time to snap out of it... because the first Saturday of the Premier League season is here.

Image source, Reuters

Welcome along to our live text coverage as the sides that finished 14th and 15th in last season's top flight meet at Vicarage Road.

But will it be The Hornets or The Seagulls that make a flying start this afternoon?

Team news is coming up...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images