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Get all you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting, as Saints travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford.
THE MATCH
Watford vs Southampton
Saturday 13th January, 3pm BST
Vicarage Road
Premier League
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
It’s a big game for both sides, who have found themselves in tricky runs of form of late.
After an impressive start to the season, Watford have won just one of their last nine Premier League games.
The Hornets still occupy a position in the top half of the table and sit seven places above Saints, but just five points separate the teams, which illustrates how quickly things can change.
Saints will be buoyed by their FA Cup victory at Fulham last time out, ending a nine-match winless run in the process.
TEAM NEWS
Southampton: Defenders Wesley Hoedt, Cédric and Jérémy Pied have all returned to training in a boost to Mauricio Pellegrino’s defensive options.
Charlie Austin (hamstring) is the only guaranteed absentee, while late decisions will be made on the other three.
Watford: Manager Marco Silva has been hit by injuries to defensive quartet Miguel Britos, Younes Kaboul, Craig Cathcart and Kiko Femenia.
Young English pair Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah have performed impressively when called upon, but could also be missing from the Hornets’ midfield.
FORM GUIDE
Southampton’s previous five:
Fulham (a) W 1-0 (Emirates FA Cup)
Crystal Palace (h) L 1-2
Manchester United (a) D 0-0
Tottenham Hotspur (a) L 2-5
Huddersfield Town (h) D 1-1
Sofiane Boufal has been a shining light for Southampton in recent weeks with his ball-carrying ability and eye for the spectacular.
Shane Long returned to the scoresheet in Saints’ last Premier League outing at home to Crystal Palace, while Pierre-Emile Højbjerg continues to produce industrious performances from midfield.
Brazilian Richarlison has been an obvious standout, but Abdoulaye Doucouré has also been a major success story for the Hornets.
Described by his manager as the “heartbeat” of the club’s season, the midfielder is a powerful box-to-box runner who has scored in the last two meetings between the sides.
Previous four meetings:
September 2017: Southampton 0-2 Watford
March 2017: Watford 3-4 Southampton (Tadić, Redmond 2, Gabbiadini)
August 2016: Southampton 1-1 Watford (Redmond)
January 2016: Southampton 2-0 Watford (Long, Tadić)
DID YOU KNOW?
There have been 34 goals scored in the last eight meetings between these sides at Vicarage Road in all competitions (19 for Watford, 15 for Southampton), at an average of over four per game.
The Hornets have dropped 16 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – more than any other side.
Marco Silva’s side have won just 48% of their Premier League points in home games this season (12/25) – the lowest ratio in the division.
NOT AT THE GAME?
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Vicarage Road! Relax at home and follow along with our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, where we will have all the build-up, as well as in-game updates and free live audio commentary.
Additionally, be sure to follow us on our various social channels for behind-the-scenes access and further updates:
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