Meet the opposition | Watford
As Swansea City prepare to face Watford, we take a closer look at the Hornets.
What's their story?
Established in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club changed name to its current moniker in 1898.
Affectionately known as the Hornets or the Golden Boys, Watford gained Football League status in 1920 and, after spending 60 years in the lower divisions, gained promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 1982.
Under the ownership of Elton John and management of Graham Taylor the club finished as runners-up to Liverpool in that maiden First Division campaign.
In a golden era for the club, they spent six seasons in the top-flight, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984.
Recently, Watford have competed in the Premier League in six out of the last nine seasons, but it has been a period of regular managerial upheaval with the Hornets going through 21 managers in the last 11 years.
The latest change happened in the summer, with Tom Cleverley being replaced by Paulo Pezzolano.
How's their form?
The Golden boys have one win and one defeat to their name in the league so far, losing to a late Charlton Athletic goal on the opening weekend before beating Queens Park Rangers in their second game.
They exited the Carabao Cup at the hands of Norwich City in between those two games.
Who’s the gaffer?
Paulo Pezzolano. The Uruguayan took the helm and became the latest figure in the managerial hotseat at Watford after Tom Cleverley departed the club.
The 42-year-old former midfielder joined the north London club having last been in charge of Spanish club Real Valladolid.
As a player, Pezzolano had a 15-year professional career taking in spells with Rentistas, Atletico Paranense, Defensor Sporting, Penarol, Liverpool Montevideo, Mallorca, Zhejiang FC, Necaxa and Torque.
He moved into coaching with the latter, and has since had the reigns of Liverpool Montevideo, Pachuca, Cruzeiro and Valladolid.
Pezzolano guided Torque to the Uruguayan Segunda Division title in 2017, and led Cruzeiro to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B success in 2022.
Who’s the captain?
Moussa Sissoko. The vastly-experienced Frenchman has had the armband so far this season for the Hornets, having led the team on a number of occasions during the 2024-25 campaign.
Sissoko began his professional career with Ligue 1 club Toulouse and spent nearly six years on their books before securing a move to the Premier League with Newcastle United in 2013.
His form on Tyneside saw a £30million switch to Tottenham follow in 2016, and Sissoko would make more than 200 appearances for Spurs, appearing in their Champions League final defeat in 2019, and their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City two years later.
He made his first move to Vicarage Road later that year, but spent a solitary season in Hertfordshire before returning to France with Nantes.
But Sissoko was back with the Hornets two seasons later, and was one of their strongest performers last season.
At international level, Sissoko played for France at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championships, where Les Bleus lost the final to Portugal after extra-time.
Who are the key men?
Luca Kjerrumgaard has had an eye-catching start to his loan spell, having joined from Udinese.
The Danish striker netted a brace in last weekend's victory over Queens Park Rangers and, while admitting he needs to adapt to the physicality of the Championship, he has wasted little time getting off the mark.
The 22-year-old started his career in his homeland with Odense, and had spells on loan with Nykobing and Stabaek.
A reliable goalscorer, he made the move to Udinese earlier this summer and was loaned straight out to the Hornets.
Defender Jeremy Ngakia is a proven Championship performer, and is now heading into his sixth season with Watford.
The Deptford-born right-back was in the youth ranks at West Ham United and made five Premier League appearances for the Hammers before making the move to the Hornets.
Injuries mean he has only just brought up a century of league appearances for Watford but, when fit, he has been an integral figure.
Midfielder Hector Kyprianou is another new recruit for Watford, having joined from Peterborough United over the summer.
The Cyprus international was on the books of Tottenham as a youngster before joining Leyton Orient.
While with the O's he had loan spells with Harlow Town, Bishop's Stortford and Hampton & Richmond Borough, but became a regular and increasingly influential figure before departing for Peterborough in 2022.
His development continued apace with Posh, who he helped to secure back-to-back EFL Trophy success in 2024 and 2025, scoring a stunning free-kick in the second of those against Birmingham City.
Kyprianou's move to the Championship arrived with Watford and he has started their opening two league fixtures.