WATFORD, England (March 17, 2026) (Interstat) — Watford opened its English Football League Championship season with a 3-1 victory over Wrexham at Vicarage Road Stadium on Tuesday, overcoming statistical projections that favored the visitor.

Defender Marc Bola opened the scoring in the 18th minute before midfielder Edo Kayembe doubled Watford’s lead in the 38th. Wrexham substitute Max Cleworth pulled a goal back in the 49th minute, but Watford sealed the win through Edoardo Bove’s stoppage-time strike. Bove and Wrexham’s Giorgi Chakvetadze, who provided an assist, received late yellow cards.

The result defied a pre-game simulation from Interstat that projected a 1-1 draw and gave Wrexham a 58.1% probability to win. Watford begins the campaign 1-0, while Wrexham starts 0-1.