Sunday's only Premier League fixture sees Watford take on Southampton. We look at the betting for the teatime kick-off at Vicarage Road.
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Watford v Southampton
- 1630 BST kick-off on Sky One & Sky Sports Premier League
Match Odds: Home 6/4 | Draw 23/10 | Away 9/5
Watford remain very much in the relegation scrap after taking one point from their two games since the restart, which came thanks to a 93rd-minute overhead kick from defender Craig Dawson after it had looked like Leicester's own stunning stoppage-time goal from Ben Chilwell had snatched victory.
You'd think that equaliser would've buoyed them for a trip to beleaguered Burnley, who could barely scrape a match-day squad together and had just been spanked by Manchester City - it didn't. A disappointing 1-0 defeat followed.
Watford fans have every reason to worry with their side just a point above the drop zone, and having won only once in 10 matches in all competitions - that remarkable 3-0 thrashing of Liverpool. The new manager bounce Nigel Pearson enjoyed in December and January has well and truly gone.
But they were by no means poor against Leicester, and what you do sense from both Watford's games since the Premier League returned is that they're going to defend stoically and look to counter, so Southampton's preference for possession and high pressing could in fact suit the Hornets.
Saints' two games have been perfectly in line with their bizarre season: brilliant away, rubbish at home. After tearing Norwich to pieces in a 3-0 win, they self-destructed through individual errors against an Arsenal side who had been competing with Burnley in the dire straits stakes.
Now 10 points clear of danger and all but safe, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side won't endure the same levels of pressure and anxiety as teams like Watford during the run-in. Whether that leads to a drop in intensity and motivation, or lift in performance and creativity is anyone's guess.
I don't think they'll find a relegation-battling team that's all too willing to cave in as Norwich were when they arrive at Vicarage Road mind you. Even if the visitors go ahead, Watford are no pushovers. They have the feel of a side, and a manager, who when they really need a result, and their backs are against the wall, they dig one out. But what you can't deny is that five of their six league wins this season have been achieved via clean sheets. So it's pretty important they don't have to come from behind to win.
The fact they've only won six matches tells you that they're something of a draw specialist, with 10, which is a stark contrast to Saints who have only ended level on four occasions this term.
Watford's pursuit of a clean sheet-driven victory could be tricky, too, as Southampton love an away goal. In their 16 league games on the road this term they have only failed to find the net twice - at Burnley on the opening day, and against Liverpool in February.
Against Leicester, Ismaila Sarr was a constant threat for Watford. Both he and Abdoulaye Doucoure missed huge chances, but hit the target. Both are worth considering in the anytime goalscorers market - especially Doucoure when he's being offered at 6/1.
But Sarr to have 2+ shots on target at 7/2 is a nice price. Against a lesser opponent than the Foxes, with a far inferior defensive record, he ought to at least get the odd shot off.
Of course, Danny Ings is the hot favourite to get on the scoresheet given his goalscoring exploits this season, but on balance I'm going for Watford to grind out a win and it really wouldn't surprise me if they keep the Saints front-man quiet.
Prediction: Watford 2-1 Southampton (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
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- Watford are winless in their last six home league games against Southampton (D4 L2), since a 3-2 win in September 2007.
- Southampton are looking to complete their first league double over Watford since the 2011-12 Championship campaign.
- After a run of 12 consecutive Premier League games without a win at Vicarage Road, Watford have now won four of their last seven home league games (D2 L1), including victories over Manchester United and Liverpool in that run.
- Southampton have won a league-high share 62% of their Premier League points in away games this season (23/37).
- Since picking up 13 points in their first six Premier League games under Nigel Pearson (W4 D1 L1), Watford have won just six points in their last nine games (W1 D3 L5).
- Watford are the only Premier League team yet to score from outside the box this season, despite attempting 121 shots from outside the area. They have had 164 shots from outside the box without scoring since their last goal via this method from Gerard Deuloefu in February 2019.
- In this exact fixture last season, Southampton’s Shane Long scored the fastest ever goal in Premier League history, finding the net after just 7.69 seconds.
- Ben Foster has started the last 99 Premier League matches for Watford – if he starts this match, he will be only the 19th different player to start 100 consecutive games and, aged 37 years and 86 days, the oldest player to do so based on their age in their 100th consecutive appearance.
- Southampton striker Danny Ings has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last 10 away Premier League starts (8 goals, 2 assists).
- Since the Premier League restart, Craig Dawson has had more shots (4) and shots on target (3) than any other Watford player, while no Hornets player has had more touches in the opposition box than Dawson (6, level with Troy Deeney).
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