Southampton will travel to Hertfordshire to take on Watford in what could potentially be a ‘relegation six-pointer’ on Saturday. Both teams have struggled recently in the Premier League and will look to earn all three points during the match in their quest to save themselves from a potential relegation at the end of the season. The Saints have not tasted victory in their last 9 encounters in the league and are in real danger of slipping down to the drop zone over the weekend. They are desperate to get the victory against Marco Silva’s men who have also fallen off the pace of late after a decent start to the campaign.
The Hornets are currently in 10th place in the league standings and are just 5 points above the relegation zone. They have suffered back to back losses in their last two league matches and are in need of a result to get themselves out of trouble. Both teams progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup last weekend which would give them some confidence going into this contest. The recent history of the fixture makes a grim reading for the Hornets fans with the Hertfordshire club tasting only one victory in their last seven encounters with the Saints. Although, that victory came in their last meeting in the Premier League earlier this season when Marco Silva’s men secured an impressive 2-0 win at the St. Mary’s Stadium.
Mauricio Pellegrino is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation versus Watford on Saturday and will hope that his team can do enough to grab the three vital points.
4-2-3-1 Southampton Predicted Lineup To Face Watford
Defence
Alex McCarthy will start in goal for the Saints and might be protected by a back four of Maya Yoshida and Wesley Hoedt in central defence along with Ryan Bertrand taking his place at left-back and Jack Stephens starting on the right side of the backline.
Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping that his defenders can keep a rare clean sheet away at Vicarage Road in what could prove to be a season-defining game for the Saints.
Midfield
Oriel Romeu and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will start as the holding midfielders for the Saints and the trio of Sofiane Boufal on the left flank, James Ward-Prowse on the right side of the midfield and Steven Davis playing in the shoulders of forward, Shane Long will feature just ahead of them.
Attack
Shane Long scored the opener in his last Premier League start versus Crystal Palace and will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet once again when he laces up to face the Hornets on Saturday.
