Southampton will be looking to return to winning ways when they take on trouble Watford at St Mary’s Stadium in their Premier League Matchday 29 tie on Sunday evening with kickoff at 17:00.
Southampton have been one of the most improved sides in the Premier League in 2022, with the side putting together a run of seven wins from 10 games in all competitions.
However, the Saints head into the match off the back of two consecutive defeats in the Premier League, with the side producing under-bar performances as they succumbed to a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Aston Vila before throwing away a 1-0 lead to loss 2-1 to a the most improved side currently, Newcastle United.
As a result Southampton have dropped back into 10th and a bid for European finish is now realistically out of the question, but Ralph Hasenhuttl will recognize the importance of getting back on track ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester City next weekend.
They will fancy their chances as they are in a good home form having only lost once at home since September 26 and have not lost to Watford in their last seven encounters, winning all their last three meeting in a row.
Watford on the other hand have been struggling this season and appear to be heading back to the Championship. The Hornets were left empty-handed again in the Premier League as they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Watford las Thursday night at away. The defeat was their second consecutive loss in the Premier league and have now just won one of their last 17 matches across all competition.
They currently sit 19th with just two points off the foot of the table while are three points adrift of safety, although they have played three matches more than the 17th-placed Everton. Also they have played two matches more than fellow relegation battlers Burnley, meaning that to salvage their season Watford need to win all their remaining matches while hoping that their rivals will drop points in both in-hand and regular matches.
Although, all is not lost as Watford still have matches against fellow relegation-threatened sides, but all in all they need to bounce back as quickly as possible.
Southampton vs Watford head to head
Both sides have met in 24 encounters since 1999 with Southampton claiming 10 victories while Watford have claimed eight victories and there have been six draws.
- Watford 0-1 Southampton 30/10/21
- Watford 1-3 Southampton 28/06/20
- Southampton 2-1 Watford 30/11/19
- Watford 1-1 Southampton 23/04/19
- Southampton 1-1 Watford 10/11/18
Home
- Southampton 1-2 Newcastle
- Aston Villa 4-0 Southampton
- Southampton 3-1 West Ham
- Southampton 2-0 Norwich
- Southampton 2-0 Everton
Away
- Wolves 4-0 Watford
- Watford 2-3 Arsenal
- Man United 0-0 Watford
- Watford 1-4 Crystal Palace
- Aston Villa 0-1 Watford
Southampton team news
The saints will be without Alex McCarthy, Lyanco and Nathan Tella due to injuries.
Watford team news
Watford will be without Nicolas N’Koulou, Ismalia Sarr and Jeremy Ngakia due to injuries.
Prediction and odds
- Southampton win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
