Two sides with promise and ambition collide in a genuine 50-50 at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Both Watford and West Ham opened up their wallets this summer to bolster their talented squads, but so far their investments have garnered no immediate results.
Javi Gracia and Manuel Pellegrini will know it's early days but this is not the start either of them would have dreamed of.
Watford sit bottom with nothing on the board yet, while West Ham have managed just one point from their opening two games. With confidence levels low, both sides will be desperate to pick up their first maximum of the season.
WATFORD: Where have their cojones gone?
As the word 'cojones' emanated from Troy Deeney's mouth two years ago after their win over Arsenal, there must have been some apprehension as to whether or not this would come back to bite him on the backside.
Deeney was boasting that Arsenal could not compete with the toughness and resilience of Watford, but fast-forward 24 months and while they are indeed an improved side, they appear to have lost some of that fighting spirit in which they were built on.
Yes, it was Manchester City, but losing 6-0 in an FA Cup final to anyone is hardly a touchstone of a ballsy team. It would be harsh to say they choked, but they most certainly did not grab the bull by the horns.
Since March, the only teams Watford have beaten are Huddersfield, Fulham - both of whom play in the Championship now - and Leicester.
In that time they have also lost 4-1 to West Ham, 3-0 to Chelsea, 2-1 at home to Wolves and drawn with Southampton.
After losing 3-0 to Brighton on the opening day of the season and then coming away from Everton empty handed, Deeney's frank assessment of Arsenal can be re-directed at them now.
Where have Watford's cajones gone? Those above results don't scream a strong and durable side that's hard to break down.
Under Javi Gracia Watford have become a touch more cultured in their approach and prettier on the eye but perhaps they've also become a touch more softer, too.
Deeney always said that what they lacked in technical ability they made up for in heart and effort, but with players like Gerard Deulofeu, Roberto Pereyra and Ismaila Sarr on the books, they don't struggle to compete technically anymore.
It's having big and ugly players who are prepared to give the opposition a whack that now seem sparse. Something Deeney and Watford, used to pride themselves on.
WEST HAM: Can Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson get the Hammers firing?
The fact Manuel Pellegrini spent a combined £69million on Sebastien Haller, Pablo Fornals and Albien Ajeti this summer suggests he knew his frontline was a bit blunt.
But it was an old face, Javier Hernandez, who popped up with the goods to ensure a point against Brighton last weekend.
They may have shipped six goals in two games, but five were against City, and Pellegrini will be more concerned by his side's struggles to create clear-cut opportunities.
In their opening two games, West Ham have only had 13 shots on goal. Only Crystal Palace have had fewer.
Hernandez showed he still has plenty to offer but West Ham will be glad to see their marquee signing return to the match-day squad.
The return of Haller and Felipe Anderson will bring as much relief to Pellegrini as the ending of the blowing bubbles song does to everyone who isn't a Hammers fan.
Haller hasn't acclimatised to the Premier League yet but there's no doubt he will be a big hit in England in time.
He has all the physical attributes to shine on these shores and he will want to get off the mark as quickly as possible.
While we all know what Anderson brings from last season. He is a tricky winger who can open doors and pop up with the occasional goal.
Pellegrini will hope he can play a big role in helping them change their fortunes in front of goal, starting this weekend.
Predicted line-ups
Watford's Predicted Starting XI: Foster, Femenia, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas, Capoue, Doucoure, Pereyra, Sarr, Deulofeu, Deeney
West Ham's Predicted Starting XI: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Rice, Anderson, Wilshere, Noble, Fornals, Hernandez
What do the bookies say?
Despite losing two out of two (and six in a row going back to last season including the FA Cup Final), the Hornets are 11/10 favourites to beat West Ham at Vicarage Road. The Hammers, themselves having had a mediocre start, are 13/5 for the win - perhaps the smart money is on the draw at 5/2.
Troy Deeney is the 5/1 favourite to open the scoring for a Watford side without a league goal so far this season - with Chicharito 6/1 for the away team, having netted last weekend. Both teams to score is odds on at 4/7 and a 1-1 draw is the most likely scoreline at 5/1.
All odds via betting aggregator Bookmakers.tv
What has been said?
Watford boss Javi Gracia: 'Last season we won the first two games. Comparing with that beginning, it's difficult to do it again. But I think we are calm. We know if we work like we are doing we'll get better results in the next games. I think we have good options in the next games to get points. Playing this way, I'm sure we'll do it.'
West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta: 'We know we brought in some good players into the team who just need time to adapt to the new league and a new country, which is always difficult for the new players. We still have 36 games to go and every single game will be difficult, so we just need to think about each game one at a time and we will see if it has been a successful season at the end.'