Southampton welcome Watford to St Mary’s Stadium in a crunch relegation clash at the foot of the Premier League table.
A win for Southampton will see them temporarily move above Norwich but defeat would see them drop to rock-bottom, and Watford move up above them and the Canaries.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSofiane Boufal is doubtful for Southampton after injuring his toe in an accident at home this week, although he will be given a late fitness test.
Jannik Vestergaard is expected to be available despite suffering a bout of illness this week.
Stuart Armstrong is definitely ruled out for the next fortnight with a hamstring injury.
Watford could have Roberto Pereyra available after he missed their last two matches with a hamstring injury.
Domingos Quina (groin) and Daniel Bachmann (hamstring) could also feature but Tom Cleverley (heel) and Craig Dawson (head) aren’t likely to be risked here.
Christian Kasabele (hamstring), Daryl Janmaat, Sebastien Prodl (both knee) and Danny Welbeck (thigh) are all ruled out.
Form
Southampton are on a eight match winless streak with just two points from a possible 24 taken, of which none came at home.
Watford are unbeaten in four of their last six league games but have taken six points across that run, of which four of those points came on the road.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have drawn their last three league meetings with Watford, with both league meetings last season finishing 1-1.
- Southampton scored first in their last four meetings with the Hornets across all competitions (W1, D3).
- Both teams have netted in four of their last five Premier League meetings, with the exception being a 2-0 away win for Watford in September 2017.
- All of Watford’s 26 conceded league goals this season have come from Ben Foster, whereas Southampton have conceded 31 goals through two goalkeepers – Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy.
- Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard is the only player from either team to score a headed league goal this season.
Prediction
This is a definite relegation six pointer because with games coming thick and fast throughout the next couple of months, I can’t see the loser making much ground in terms of their survival bid.
Watford however seems to be pulling together some solid away momentum at the right time, given Southampton’s dire home form in which they have conceded 18 goals and scored just three times.
On that note, I can see Watford winning this if they play like they did at Norwich otherwise it will be a draw.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Watford
Result: Southampton 2-1 Watford