Southampton set to have a sold out backing at Watford on the opening day

Southampton have just played out a behind-closed-doors friendly with Paderborn, as their pre-season preparations continue in Germany.

Unfortunately, the game would end in a 2-1 defeat, with Lewis Dobbin scoring the only Saints goal in the hush contest at Paderborn's training ground.

Fans did get to witness Southampton's earlier 1-0 win in pre-season against Eintracht Braunschweig, with pictures taken during the game seeing Saints fans cheering their beloved team on with custom-made banners.

It's not too long now until the loyal St Mary's masses will be behind their treasured side all the way away at Watford on the opening day of the campaign, and a new development from the South Coast outfit's social media is that the Vicarage Road away end is now sold out.

Watford away end is now sold out

Indeed, the Saints had been allocated a hefty 2313 tickets for the opening day visit to Vicarage Road, which is a substantial amount.

With competitive Championship football being away for so long, the hunger is clearly there for Southampton supporters to back their team on the road, during a season where they will be considered public enemy number one, after Spygate soiled their reputation.

All that has transpired with Spygate could weirdly work in Tonda Eckert and Co's favour, dependent on if the German is handed another severe penalty or not for his involvement, as it means that the South Coast side will feel everyone is against them, all whilst being ferociously backed by their devoted contingent.

Last season, the Saints fans were extremely loud, in parts, especially when Finn Azaz scored a long-range bullet against Manchester City in the FA Cup.

If they can be as raucous in nearby Hertfordshire on the 16th of August, the wall of noise could push Eckert's visitors along the line to an opening day victory.

Southampton usually thrive on the opening day in the second tier, as well, when looking over their recent run-ins...

Southampton have a good opening day record in the Championship

The Saints started off last season with a win, even with Will Still at the helm.

Two stoppage time strikes right at the end of the contest with Wrexham would result in the South Coast giants getting the better of the newly promoted side 2-1 in a rude Championship awakening for the Welsh side.

The start of the 2023/24 campaign, which ended in promotion, also saw the Saints win a dramatic contest on the opening day, as Che Adams bagged an 87th minute winner to hand Russell Martin's away side a 2-1 win at Hillsborough.

This game, in particular, will be viewed as a good omen, heading into the tie at Watford, as this game was also televised on Sky Sports, with the forthcoming clash with Alessio Dionisi's hosts rescheduled to Sunday lunchtime for the TV cameras.

It should be an entertaining contest to take in, as Dionisi gets off the mark in the EFL as a manager, hoping he can break the chain of the Hornets going through head coaches relentlessly.

For Southampton, they'll want to launch out of the traps with venom to instantly start chipping away at their four point deduction, with Vicarage Road potentially the setting that sees the Spygate-haunted team collect a confidence boosting win to start the season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow