A close contest ensues as Watford host Southampton this Saturday. The two teams sit in 12th and 13th in the league, separated by just a point. The Saints’ away form especially when facing the middle-third sides has been quite discouraging of late. They’ve won just one of their last seven at middle-third sides (against Bournemouth in the South Coast Derby), and they’ve failed to score in their last games against such opponents.
Watford have won just one their last five Premier League clashes against Southampton. They have scored only four goals in their last five Premier League clashes, a record which indicates that Mazarri’s men are clearly not the favourites.
Team News
Southampton- Southampton have no fresh injuries before they head into the game against Watford. Puel will have a set team to play the Hornets. Among long-term injuries include- Jeremy, who is out of with a cruciate ligament injury, Matthew Robert Targett is out with a hamstring, Charlie Austin still recovering from his dislocated shoulder and the all-important Virgil van Dijk with an ankle injury. Alex McCarthy’s return in unknown at the moment.
Watford- A huge miss for the Italian boss would be his latest recruit up front, Mauro Zarate suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury last game and is out until August. Apart from him the season-outers also include Roberto Pereyra, who is out with a meniscus injury since December last year.
Among the short-term injuries include Nordin Amrabat and Costel Pantilimon with an ankle injury, Daryl Janmaat and Ben Watson with groin injuries and Christian Kabasele with a hip injury.
Predicted Line-ups
Southampton (4-4-1-1 formation): Forster; Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Davis, Redmond; Tadic; Gabbiadini
Watford (4-3-3 formation): Gomes; Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos, Holebas; Capoue, Behrami, Cleverley; Niang, Deeney, Zarate
Key Players
Southampton- Claude Puel will bank heavily on his star striker Manolo Gabbiadini. The Italian forward was unstoppable against Manchester United in the EFL Cup final and he has already scored thrice in two league games. Nathan Redmond also looked to be in the groove last week and the manager would expect his winger to snatch a goal or two in this game.
Watford- With Zarate out for the season, Mazzarri will have to rely on the likes of Troy Deeney and M’Baye Niang in the attacking third. The injury might finally pave the way for Watford’s number 10 Isaac Success to show his potential.
Odds
Southampton @ 2.20
Draw @ 3.40
Watford @ 3.60
