Southampton vs Watford preview, predictions & possible XIs
The bottom two sides in the Premier League face off this weekend looking to turn their seasons around when Southampton host Watford.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton are slightly better off in 19th, having accumulated nine points from their 13 games so far, but it is certainly not anything to cheer about.
Saints have received the joint-heaviest defeat in Premier League history and the heaviest for a home side, being beaten 9-0 by Leicester City in October.
Their opponents are one point behind them and have managed just one win so far, while also recording a heavy 8-0 loss to Manchester City.
Despite Quique Sanches Flores’ recent arrival, the Spaniard’s job is already in doubt, as is Hasenhuttl’s. Could one of them be shown the door after this weekend?
Read on for our Southampton v Watford preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Southampton vs Watford and what TV channel is it on?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: St Mary’s
Date: Saturday, 30 November 2019
Kick-off: 5:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League
Last five meetings: Southampton vs Watford
23 April 2019: Watford 1-1 Southampton (Premier League)
10 November 2018: Southampton 1-1 Watford (Premier League)
27 January 2018: Southampton 1-0 Watford (FA Cup)
13 January 2018: Watford 2-2 Southampton (Premier League)
09 September 2017: Southampton 0-2 Watford (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Southampton (DDWDL) 5-6 Watford (DDLDW)
Ones to watch
Southampton: Danny Ings
Southampton were unfortunate not to beat Arsenal last weekend, with Danny Ings running riot at the Emirates.
The striker netted his sixth goal of the season, having already scored against Liverpool, Wolves, Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea, and is doing his all to propel Southampton up the table.
However, he has been seriously unlucky with his goals. Let down by his defensive teammates at times, Southampton have not won any of the six games in which Ings has scored this season.
Key stat: Danny Ings has scored 46.2% of Southampton’s Premier League goals this season.
Watford: Ben Foster
There haven’t been many Watford players worth writing about this season, with the large majority of the squad underperforming.
But one player that has done his job well is Ben Foster. Despite conceding more goals than any other goalkeeper, Foster has been more reliable than some in the Watford net. He has made 43 saves to date, stopping 62.32% of shots he’s faced this season.
If Watford are to get anything from this game, they’ll need Foster to be on his game.
Key stat: Only three goalkeepers have made more saves from shots inside the box than Ben Foster (28) this season.
Team news
Southampton
Southampton are expected to welcome Jannik Vestergaard back into the team after he missed the draw with Arsenal through illness.
However, they will be without Stuart Armstong, who suffered a hamstring problem in the draw and could be out for two weeks. Sofiane Boufal is another absentee after stubbing he toe, rendering him unable to train.
Predicted XI: McCarthy; Stephens, Vestergaard, Benarek; Cedric, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Bertrand; Redmond; Obafemi, Ings.
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Watford
Watford will be without Craig Dawson, Christian Kabasele and Daryl Janmaat for the trip to Southampton, with the trio joining Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck and Sebastian Prodl on the sidelines.
Roberto Pereyra is back in contention after a hamstring injury but Flores admits this weekend could still be too soon for a start. Troy Deeney is once again available but may start on the bench alongside Pereyra.
Predicted XI: Foster; Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina, Holebas; Doucoure, Hughes, Capoue; Deulofeu, Gray.
Squawka prediction
A battle between two sides lacking form in the relegation zone, things aren’t looking too promising for Saturday’s game.
Yes, Southampton were in good form against Arsenal last weekend but they will undoubtedly have been hurt by the late equaliser. Will they have recovered mentally from that setback?
Watford don’t seem likely to add too much danger to Southampton’s defence after their defeat to Burnley, so it could be a case of these two sides cancelling each other out.
Scoreline prediction: Southampton 0-0 Watford
