Watford vs Southampton Prediction: Saints to strike back?

Southampton suffered a blow last weekend as Stoke City came to town and stole all three points, leaving Will Still’s new side with four points after three Championship fixtures. They will want to head into the international break with another three points as they travel to Watford on Saturday afternoon (15:00). 

Below you can find my Watford vs Southampton predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Watford boss Paulo Pezzolano is able to call upon centre-back Mattie Pollock as the defender returned to training this week after making rapid progress with his hamstring injury.

However, Giorgi Chakvetadze (foot), Caleb Wiley (adductor muscle) and Jack Grieves (ankle) are all out as they continue their rehabilitation, while new arrival Nampalys Mendy will also not be considered as he looks to get up to speed going into the international break.

Football Odds

Matheus Fernandes made the move from Southampton to West Ham for a reported fee of £42m, and as usual, the relegated teams will be far more settled once the window has shut. Southampton have wasted no time in bringing in Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz, and that could be a straight swap for Fernandes in the starting XI. 

He will be one of the creative players behind the striker, which could be any one or two of Adam Armstrong, Damion Downs, Ross Stewart or Cameron Archer. Solving that attacking pecking order must be Still’s primary concern right now, while Flynn Downes and Shea Charles could continue their partnership in the heart of the midfield. 

Watford vs Southampton Odds

Watford are priced at 2/1 to win this game at Vicarage Road, while Southampton are the favourites at 7/5. That gives the Saints an implied win probability of 42%, while a draw can be backed at 9/4.

Southampton to win to nil has been Price Boosted to 4/1, over 2.5 goals is 1/1 and BTTS is 8/11. 

Price Boost - Southampton to win to nil @ 4/1 

Okay Betfred, I’ll nibble at this Price Boost. I was unimpressed with Southampton last week but they responded in style in the Carabao Cup as they hammered Norwich City 3-0 at Carrow Road. Despite defeat against 10 men, they did create an xG of 2.59, while they battered Wrexham on the opening day with an xG of 4.14.

They should get things going under Still, and once the transfer window closes I think we should see more improvement in terms of results. Worryingly, they are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league but having picked one up in the cup in midweek, they will be feeling slightly more confident. They should be able to show their class against Watford, and come away with all three points and a clean sheet. 

Taylor Harwood-Bellis to score anytime @ 14/1

Now, Southampton haven’t been able to nail down a starting striker with so many options, and so I will look towards the centre-backs for goals at Vicarage Road. Jack Stephens, and our man Taylor Harwood-Bellis have both scored from set-pieces already this season, and clearly it is an area that Still wants to profit from. 

Harwood-Bellis has a lot of quality, but he’s also been pretty active in the oppositons' box this season. He’s had four shots in total from inside the box, with three of those and his goal coming against Stoke last time out. Arguably Saints’ biggest set-piece threat, I think he’s a massive price to find the net again given the amount of chances he had last weekend. Worth a punt. 

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