Categories: SpainWatford

Watford fire up for Deportivo showdown before EFL return

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Paulo Pezzolano of Real Valladolid reacts during the LaLiga match between CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio El Sadar on November 02, 2024 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Watford’s last preseason game will be at home against Deportivo La Coruña in a friendly before The Hornets start their EFL campaign with an away trip to Charlton up first for new manager Paulo Pezzolano.

This will be Pezzolano’s first game at Vicarage Road, testament to the challenge ahead with the club looking for an ambitious return to the Premier League. This will be the club’s fourth friendly of the new season, with the side only winning one of the previous matches whilst fielding a variety of sides.

The frontline needed huge investment, and the calls were met with statement names: Nestory Irankunda, Othmane Maamma and the highly rated forward Vivaldo Semedo are all young exciting prospects and will become vital players in the club.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: Nestory Irankunda of the Socceroos dribbles the ball during the third round FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and China PR at Adelaide Oval on October 10, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/Getty Images)

Question marks around key player Giorgi Chakvetadze however his future looks set at Watford with him speaking on his future:

“I’m really happy at Watford. I’m very grateful to the club and the fans, who are always with us and support us like crazy. I love playing in front of them and I’m really happy to keep doing that.”

Accompanying the talented squad is a mix of young players like Caleb Wiley and Marc Bola as well as Hector Kyprianou and Nathan Baxter who both have over 200 games in English football respectively.

Watford’s opponents are a second-tier side who have had a mixed pre-season so far, a 0-4 loss to Elche, but also a 5-0 win against Compostela set this match up for a feisty contest with the Spanish side matching up against Middlesbrough on August 2nd.

Key names include pacy, smart and a highly rated Spanish talent Yeremay Hernández and former Arsenal player Charlie Patino, born in Watford strengthens the away sides midfield.

Charlie Patino of RC Deportivo de La Coruna looks on during the La Liga Hypermotion match between RC Deportivo de La Coruna and Elche CF at Estadio Abanca Riazor in A Coruna, Spain, on June 1, 2025. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)