Ken Sema is found with a fine diagonal to the left but his first touch lets him down and Blackburn recover.

The home side are broken on but ex-Hibs defender Ryan Porteous puts in a reducer on Tyrhys Dolan as he limps off.

Solid.

Image source, PA Media

Matheus Martins is picked out on the edge of the box, and gets a shot off but it deflects behind for a corner, which Blackburn hack away.

Vakoun Bayo is picked out on the right, and wins a corner from Joe Rankin-Costello's challenge.

The ball is swung back-post, Wes Houdt gets onto the ball but Rankin-Costello does enough to force him to head over.

Clear tactic from Watford at the moment, stretch the play and get the wingers pushed on.

Matheus Martins the latest target down the right, but he's unable to scoot on to the high ball over the top.

Blackburn break, but Edo Kayembe steps in like a nightclub doorman and says - not today lads.

Lewis Travis has to get back to cover Ken Sema as Watford raid, tracking a long ball into the channels.

Concedes a set-piece, and Matheus Martins trots across to take it.

Boomed in from the left but Harry Leonard heads clear.

Blackburn try to work the ball down the right with Harry Carter pushing forward and bringing Joe Rankin-Costello and Ryan Hedges into action.

However, Ken Sema gets himself involved for the Hornets and mops up the danger.

Wesley Houdt has been playing less than 30 seconds and goes down. Initial concern subsides, as the Watford defender gets back to hit feet.

Rovers move the ball sharply. Bright opening.

Gavin Ward is the man with the whistle this afternoon at Vicarage Road.

We're up and running on this Sunday afternoon, as the sounds of Elton's 'Your Song' subsides.

Blackburn get it forward sharp.

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There will be a mark of respect for former Watford goalkeeper Andy Rankin, who died earlier this week.

Both sides take part in a minute's applause.

Z Cars blares out. Always a classic whether here or at Everton.

This is a finely poised game.

Blackburn could easily have beaten Hull despite going down to 10, but were just unable to deliver goals.

Watford were terrible in the opening 45 at Stoke but rallied after the break, and only a scorcher from Stoke's Andre Vidigal separated them from another clean sheet.

Who will crack first on a bright afternoon at the Vic?

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There was a definite sense of frustration from Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson after last weekend's loss to Hull City, which felt like a chance that got away.

The dismissal of Harry Pickering was a blow early on, summed up dryly by a Rovers fan who interviewed by BBC Radio Lancashire before today's game said not getting someone sent-off in the first 10 minutes or so "would be a big help".

Otherwise, the signs have been largely impressive. Opening day win against West Brom, spirited fightback to draw at Rotherham. Took the lead and failed to convert further chances versus Hull before losing.

However the post-BBD era (Ben Brereton Diaz) still craves a goalscorer. Can Niall Ennis, Sam Gallagher or Harry Leonard provide that sparkle? Tomasson might be digging out his boots again if not.

Midfielder Anthony Moran has arrived from Brighton to add depth to the squad.

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With just one goal conceded so far for Watford, Valerien Ismael's side have shown they have a stubborn rearguard, but conversely they have failed to score since their opening round gubbing of QPR.

Like Rovers, they too lost striking talent in the off-season with Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr both exiting for Brighton and Marseille respectively.

Ismael has turned to the transfer market, signing Kalmar striker Mileta Rajovic, and is confident the Dane has the ingredients to be a success.

"He's a strong striker, very good technically, and a good link-up player," Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"In the box he knows exactly where the goals is so it's another good option with Vakoun Bayo. We have good competition."

Watford have tweaked their side from the Stoke loss with Yaser Asprilla, Ismael Kone, Edo Kayembe brought into the starting XI.

James Morris, Jake Livermore and Imran Louza drop down to the bench, while new signing Mileta Rajovic is also included among the subs.

Blackburn's Callum Brittain comes in for the suspended Harry Pickering following his red card against Hull.

Andrew Moran gets a spot on the bench, but a knee injury rules out Niall Ennis.

Watford: Bachmann, Andrews, Porteous, Hoedt, Asprilla, Kayembe, Dele-Bashiru, Kone, Sema, Bayo, Martins

Subs: Hamer, Ngakia, Ince, Livermore, Rajovic, Louza, Pollock, Chakvetadze, Morris

Blackburn: Pears, Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hyam, Brittain, A.Wharton, Travis, Szmodics, Hedges, Dolan, Leonard

Subs: Wahlstedt, S.Wharton, Gamble, Tondstadt, Garrett, Moran, Markanday, Bloxham, Gallagher

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a similar start to the season for both Watford and Blackburn, with just goal difference separating them in the Championship table.

One win, one draw and one loss apiece so far.

Both have eyes on the promotion race this season, so improvement would be ideal.

While this lunchtime face-off in Hertfordshire won't define any seasons, both sides will see as a chance to kickstart their campaigns as summer fades into autumn.