Hassane Kamara sends in a high, bending cross from the right but Emmanuel Dennis gets under it and heads over the bar.

Still nothing particularly clear-cut in terms of chances for the hosts despite their dominance.

First chance for Sheffield United.

Sander Berge collects the ball just outside the area and unleashes a powerful shot, but it snicks off Craig Cathcart and keeper Daniel Bachmann scoops it up.

Emmanuel Dennis finally gets something wrong!

Ismaila Sarr picks his fellow forward out on the edge of the box but Dennis scuffs the shot and Wes Foderingham collects it easily.

Sheffield United have had more possession but it's Watford who have looked more of a threat.

Image source, Rex Features

That's one way to stop him.

Ciaran Clark tugs down Emmanuel Dennis as he's about to burst away and is show a yellow card.

Emmanuel Dennis is causing Sheffield United all sorts of problems.

The Nigerian once again gallops forward, cuts inside on the edge of the box and gets a shot away but John Egan blocks it.

The Blades can't contain him.

Watford already look so dangerous when they go forward.

Joao Pedro picks up the ball midway inside Sheffield United's half, releases Hassane Kamara on the right - the full-back dances past one challenge and his cross is blocked behind for a corner.

The set-piece comes to nothing, but Watford are playing some slick stuff early on.

Image source, PA Media

There's that link-up from Watford's front-line.

Emmanuel Dennis skips forward and releases Ismaila Sarr into the area but Sarr's left-footed shot hits the side-netting.

Lively start from the hosts.

Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis demonstrates his pace as he gets in behind the Blades defence but just fails to keep the ball in.

Dennis, Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro are expected to cause all sorts of problems for oppoinents this season.

Sheffield United get this final Championship fixture of the weekend under way...

Image source, Rex Features

Both teams make their way out at Vicarage Road - it's a fresh start for Watford under a young, exciting manager.

Their home form last season was the worst in the Premier League, losing 15 of their 19 matches.

But that was last season - they're one of the favourites to come straight back up this year...

● Watford and Sheffield United last met in the league in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, both matches ending in draws.

● Outside the top-flight, the last league meeting between the two sides was back in March 2011 in the Championship, a 3-0 win for the Hornets with goals from Danny Graham, Martin Taylor and Ross Jenkins.

● Watford have lost their opening league game in just one of the last 15 seasons (W8 D6), losing 3-0 at home to Brighton in 2019-20.

● Sheffield United have lost their opening league match in six of the last eight seasons (W1 D1), losing in each of the last two against Wolves (0-2 in 2020-21) and Birmingham (0-1 in 2021-22).

● Watford are winless in their last 13 home league games, losing 12 of those, since a 4-1 victory over Manchester United in October 2021.

Image source, Rex Features

None of Watford's summer signings are named in Rob Edwards' starting XI as he goes with an exciting and youthful frontline of Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis. Albania striker Rey Manaj, who joined from Barcelona last month, is named on the bench.

Watford XI: Bachmann, Cathcart, Sierralta, Kabasele, Sema, Kamara, Kayembe, Cleverley, Dennis, Sarr, Pedro.

Subs: Hamer, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Manaj, Gosling, Asprilla, Bayo.

The Blades also name plenty of familiar faces from last season, but 18-year-old Daniel Jebbison gets the nod up front.

Sheff Utd XI: Foderingham, Baldock, Clark, Egan, Norrington-Davies, Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Berge, Ndiaye, Jebbison.

Subs: Amissah, Gordon, Lowe, Osborn, Khadra, Sharp, Brewster.

Image source, Rex Features

Last season was very much a case of 'what might have been' for Sheffield United.

After a poor start, with only two points from their first five games, The Blades sacked Slavisa Jokanovic in November and appointed Paul Heckingbottom.

They first climbed into the play-off places in February and wins in their final three games saw United secure fifth place - and a two-leg showdown with Nottingham Forest.

Both matches were won 2-1 by the away side, but it was Forest who prevailed 3-2 on penalties and went on to beat Huddersfield at Wembley to secure their return to the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Watford broke with their own recent tradition when they appointed Rob Edwards as their new boss in May after he had guided Forest Green Rovers to promotion from League Two.

Perhaps not since Sean Dyche in 2011 had the Hornets chosen a young upcoming British manager to guide the team's fortunes.

And fans are hoping 39-year-old Edwards will hit the ground running after only six wins in 38 Premier League games last season under Xisco Munoz, Claudio Ranieri and former England boss Roy Hodgson.

Image source, Rex Features

Following England's glory at Wembley on Sunday evening, it does feel a bit like a case of after the Lord Mayor's show...

...but just a few miles further north we have some potentially tasty Championship action for you tonight as Watford take on Sheffield United at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets will be playing their first competitive game under new boss Rob Edwards and are eager to make a winning start as they look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Kick-off is at 20:00. Team news for you shortly.