Saints Marching
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Southampton vs. Watford: Opposition threat

By Chris Hughes

WATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Christian Kabasele of Watford points instructions during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on January 13, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Christian Kabasele of Watford points instructions during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on January 13, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Stefano Okaka of Watford controls the ball while under pressure from Ben Chilwell of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford at The King Power Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Stefano Okaka of Watford controls the ball while under pressure from Ben Chilwell of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford at The King Power Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

Stefano Okaka

Added a wildcard pick, Okaka could get the nod this weekend if the Hornets’ new manager opts for either a shake-up to improve bad form or to simply rest the side’s better players.

The Italian has struggled for games this season under former-boss Marco Silva and previously had been very inconsistent since his move from Anderlecht in 2016.

However, Okaka is a physical striker with a good touch in his locker as well, and like Gray, could feed well of crosses and punish the fragile Southampton back-line.

Okaka has played just 233 minutes of league football this season across eight appearances, but has won over 1.5 aerial duels per game. This suggests that he does well feeding off crosses from Watford’s full-backs, meaning he could easily snatch a goal for them this weekend.