Watford have been backed to inflict AFC Bournemouth's first defeat of the Championship season this weekend when they meet at Vicarage Road. 

Both these sides dropped out of the Premier League last season and have enjoyed a positive start to life back in the Championship.

For Watford and Vladimir Ivić they are third in the table having won four from six. Heading into this game, they've won back-to-back fixtures against Derby County and Blackburn Rovers.

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In terms of Bournemouth, they are yet to lose in the Championship under Jason Tindall. However, they're drawn three times and sit fourth in the table heading into the weekend.

For David Prutton, he's expecting Bournemouth to be beaten on their trip to Watford, with the Sky Sports pundit offering up a 2-1 prediction.

He wrote: "It's nicely poised this one. Both sides have started well and you would fancy them to be challenging right near the top, especially having kept hold of some key personnel.

"Watford just look a little stronger at the moment and got a good result against Blackburn in midweek. Bournemouth were held for a point at Cardiff, but that will always be a tough game. It will be close, but I fancy Watford to edge it."

Even at this early stage of the season, Watford have opened up a three-point gap to seventh-placed Brentford, but defeat for Bournemouth and results going against them elsewhere could leave them outside the top-six by the close of the weekend.

The Verdict

Watford have been good without being brilliant this season. They've got results, but their performances haven't stood out at all.

That's not the case with Bournemouth, who, for me, have looked one of the best footballing sides in the division so far.

It'll be interesting to see if Watford suffocate them with their defensive structure. If they do that, a home win will probably be on the cards.

Nevertheless, it'll be a close game.

Thoughts? Let us know!