Southampton vs Watford Prediction: Goals could be scarce at St Mary’s

The Watford managerial merry-go-round is in full swing once again meaning more disruption ahead of their trip to St Mary's on Saturday afternoon (12:31) to take on Southampton.

Javi Gracia walked out at the start of the week, leaving Charlie Daniels in interim charge, and Southampton should see this as an opportunity to kickstart a late dart towards the play-off places. Steve Davies provides his Southampton vs Watford predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Fit-again Shea Charles is pushing for a first Southampton start since October, possibly in a three with Flynn Downes and Casper Jander in a 4-5-1, or simply in place of Jander.

New signing, Canada international frontman Cyle Larin, is hoping to appear though Ross Stewart has the No.9 shirt with Adam Armstrong having departed to Wolves.

Pierre Ekwah, signed for Watford from St Etienne, hopes to be involved with Hector Kyprianou and Edoardo Bove out.

Southampton vs Watford Odds

Southampton have won only one of their last four home games yet get a 9/10 quote at home to a side who are four points superior.

The fact that 3/1 shots Watford are winless in six, have won only three away all season and are without a permanent manager explains the match odds.

Under 2.5 Goals @ 1/1

Southampton and Watford are among the top four sides in the Championship for average shots on target.

Yet their goalscoring records are not particularly impressive and this encounter could well be a low-scoring affair.

Saints have scored nine in their last 10 in the league and you have to wonder the logic in getting rid of top scorer Adam Armstrong.

Watford, meanwhile, have not scored in either of their last two games, Gracia's farewell, a 2-0 home loss to Swansea, and Charlie Daniels' first assignment, a 0-0 draw at Hull.

The Hornets carved out 33 chances in those two fixtures but were as wasteful as they have been for most of the season.

They ought to be moderately confident they can keep Saints at arm's length but you wonder where the goals are going to appear from.

Half-Time Result - Draw @ 5/4

If there are not going to be many goals then it follows the game should be tight with the draw at 5/2 a big runner.

The draw at half-time at 5/4 is also a big runner, because with these two teams it happens a lot.

Southampton and Watford have each been level at half-time in 15 matches this season, the joint most in the division. The Hertfordshire raiders have been drawing at the break in each of their last five.

Daniels had Watford looking solid at Hull in Tuesday night's 0-0 draw and would be looking for that level of obduracy again.

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