Two games, two draws, two points. Watford’s start to the Premier League season has been steady as the newcomers started their season off with an impressive 2-2 draw at Everton followed by a 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion at home, a game they should have won, given the chances that were created. Southampton, on the other hand, have been struggling for form especially after being beaten 3-0 at home by Everton. However, there have been some positives for Ronald Koeman’s side as Jay Rodriguez found the net for the first time following his 18 month injury horror in the 1-1 draw in Europe on Thursday. Both he and the Saints fans will be hoping to turn their side’s misfortune around and get their first win on the board for the season.
TEAM NEWS
WATFORD
Lloyd Doyley and Joel Ekstrand are definitely out for this game as the latter is still recovering from his ACL injury sustained last season.
SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton have a several key players out as Jordy Clasie, Florin Gardos, Ryan Bertrand, Fraiser Forster and Gaston Ramirez are all unavailable for this game.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Watford and Southampton have met just twice before in the Premier League, in the 1999-2000 season.
- Their last meeting was in the Championship in February 2012, when Southampton completed the double over Watford with a 3-0 away win, having already won 4-0 at home.
LAST 5 MEETINGS
2011/2012 | Sat 25 Feb | Watford | 0 – 3 | Southampton | Championship |
Sat 01 Oct | Southampton | 4 – 0 | Watford | Championship | |
2008/2009 | Tue 07 Apr | Watford | 2 – 2 | Southampton | Championship |
Sat 18 Oct | Southampton | 0 – 3 | Watford | Championship | |
2007/2008 | Tue 01 Jan | Southampton | 0 – 3 | Watford | Championship |
KEY MEN
Troy Deeny – Watford
Troy Deeny was Watford’s talisman last season helping them gain promotion to the Premier League, scoring twenty-one goals and also providing nine assists. He has started the season well although he hasn’t scored yet. He will be hoping to break his duck and get going in the Premier League.
Graziano Pelle – Southampton
Pelle had an impressive first season at the club scoring sixteen goals from forty-four appearances in a competitive league. He has already found the net three times this season although only once in the Premier League; so his goalscoring form is good. Like Deeny, he too would be hoping to continue his good form as his team looks to get their first win on the board.
PREDICTION:
Watford are strong at home but I expect Southampton to put up a tough fight. I’m going for a 1-1 draw.