Southampton vs Watford: Saints begin the defining week in their season

Southampton will be looking to improve their dreadful home form this weekend when they face Watford on Saturday evening.

The Saints have had little to cheer in front of their home crowd this season, with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United providing their only point at St Mary’s to date.

With two games against fellow relegation threatened Watford and Norwich in the space of four days coming up, it is hard to argue that this is a defining period for their hopes of staying in the Premier League.

Watford currently sit bottom of the top-flight table on eight points and have been unable to produce an upturn in form after sacking Javi Gracia and bringing in Quique Sanchez-Flores.

They will see this Saturday’s game as an ideal opportunity to turn things around too given that Saints have the worst home form in the league currently.

Team News

Saints have been dealt a double blow with the news that Stuart Armstrong and Sofiane Boufal have both picked up injuries ahead of this game.

Armstrong picked up a hamstring issue during the Arsenal game last weekend, whilst Boufal is said to have a swollen toe after kicking a kitchen table at home – bizarre!

Watford are boosted by the news that Craig Dawson will be available after having stitches for cuts sustained against Burnley last weekend, whilst Troy Deeney continues to prove his fitness after a long layoff.

This weekend could come too early for Roberto Pereyra though despite his return to training this week.

(via southamptonfc.com and watfordfc.com)

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• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Why Saints will win

Last weekend’s performance at Arsenal saw Saints look like a much better side and potentially one that could get themselves out of trouble.

Determination will be key to them getting results in ideal home games with Watford and Norwich this week.

Making a fast start – and having the most potent attacking threats on the pitch to start – will be vital in seeing them over the line in these two clashes.

Why Watford will win

Watford should be fully aware that if they frustrate the St Mary’s crowd during the early stages of this weekend’s match then things could turn in their favour.

Saints have just one point from six home games so far this season and looked particularly shaky even when facing an out of sorts Everton side last time out in front of their home faithful.

The Hornets will have been given a big boost by the recent return of Troy Deeney as well. Could he be the man to give the Saints defence a tough evening?

Predicted line-ups

Saints

Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy

Defenders: Cedric Soares, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens, Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders: Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Forwards: Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings, Moussa Djenepo

Watford

Goalkeeper: Ben Foster

Defenders: Kiko Femenia, Adrian Mariappa, Craig Dawson, Craig Cathcart, Jose Holebas

Midfielders: Abdoulaye Doucoure, Etienne Capoue, Will Hughes

Forwards: Gerard Deulofeu, Troy Deeney

Predicted score: Saints 2-0 Watford