Match Preview: Watford vs Saints

THE MATCH

Watford vs Southampton
Premier League
Vicarage Road
Saturday 4th March, 3pm GMT

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

It’s back to the Premier League for Southampton, after the disappointment of the EFL Cup final last Sunday.

A win could see Saints, who start the weekend in 13th, climb up four places in the table.

They will definitely jump up at least one spot with a victory, as Watford currently lie one point and one place above them.

TEAM NEWS

Watford: Defender Christian Kabasele, midfielders Nordin Amrabat and Ben Watson, and forward Mauro Zárate are all out injured. There are also doubts over the fitness of defender Daryl Janmaat and goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, with both players still being assessed.

i think the players can make a good recovery from the final and be fit for this game.

claude puel
southampton manager

Southampton: Claude Puel has no fresh injury concerns for this game, meaning he could well name an unchanged starting line-up for the third game in succession.

FORM GUIDE

Watford’s last five:

West Ham United (h) D 1-1
Manchester United (a) L 0-2
Burnley (h) W 2-1
Arsenal (a) W 2-1
Millwall (a) L 0-1 (FA Cup)

Southampton’s last five:

Manchester United (n) L 2-3 (EFL Cup)
Sunderland (a) W 4-0
West Ham United (h) L 1-3
Swansea City (a) L 1-2
Arsenal (h) L 0-5 (FA Cup)

TOP PERFORMERS

Watford’s star man this season has been Troy Deeney, who has bagged himself eight goals and also assisted another three.

Top scorers: Troy Deeney (8), Étienne Capoue (5)
Most assists: José Holebas (4), Troy Deeney, Nordin Amrabat (3)

No doubt about who the man in form for Saints is. Manolo Gabbiadini might only have played three games for the club, but he is already in joint second place in the team’s scoring charts, with five goals. James Ward-Prowse’s cross for his first goal at Wembley took his assist total up to five.

Top scorers: Charlie Austin (9), Jay Rodriguez, Shane Long, Manolo Gabbiadini (5)
Most assists: James Ward-Prowse (5), Dušan Tadić (4)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

All-time record:

Played: 47
Watford: 17
Draws: 10
Southampton: 20

Last four meetings:

August 2016: Southampton 1-1 Watford (Redmond)
January 2016: Southampton 2-0 Watford (Long, Tadić)
August 2015: Watford 0-0 Southampton
February 2012: Watford 0-3 Southampton (Lambert 3)

DID YOU KNOW?

Saints are unbeaten in their last six league games against Watford.

In the last three Premier League games between the sides, Watford have attempted just two shots on target.

If Manolo Gabbiadini scores, he will become the first Saints player to score in his opening three Premier League appearances for the club.

NOT AT THE GAME?

If you can’t make it to Vicarage Road, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date.

You can follow our interactive match centre on southamptonfc.com, which will be bringing you live updates from the game and free audio commentary.

Elsewhere, we’ll have loads of exclusive behind-the-scenes content, as well as match updates, on our social media channels:

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