Southampton vs Watford Prediction: St Mary’s stalemate on the cards

With a FA Cup fifth round trip to Anfield the prize, Championship sides Southampton and Watford will face off once again in a fourth-round replay at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening. 

These teams have already played out two draws this season and another cagey affair, featuring two potentially changed sides, could be on the cards on the south coast. 

Team News 

Hosts Southampton remain without Joe Aribo, who remains away on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Following his move from Sunderland last summer, Ross Stewart is still waiting to make his full Saints debut, but a muscle injury means the Scotland striker misses this encounter. 

The match also comes too soon for 21-year-old Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana, with the left winger expected to return in mid-February from a hamstring issue. 

As for the visitors, Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe remains on the sidelines with a calf injury. 

In better news for manager Valerien Ismael, Mileta Rajovic and Emmanuel Dennis are pushing for starts after both players featured off the bench against Cardiff on Saturday. 

Match Odds 

Southampton are the 8/15 to win this FA Cup replay inside 90 minutes, while Watford are 9/2 to spring a surprise and come away with victory in regulation time. 

A draw on the night is available at 18/5, while Saints hotshot Adam Armstrong is the shortest price in the anytime goalscorer market at 23/20. 

Draw @ 18/5

These sides have played out some tight battles in recent years, with four of their last eight meetings resulting in 1-1 draws. 

That has been the scoreline in their two meetings this season, with each of those encounters taking place at Vicarage Road. 

These clubs both have ambitions of securing promotion from the Championship and managers Russell Martin and Ismeal may ring the changes for this cup clash. 

That could lead to a somewhat disjointed game and, with Watford having played out five draws in their last eight games in all competitions, another stalemate would be of no surprise at St Mary’s. 

Under 2.5 total goals @ 11/8  

Considering there has been four 1-1 draws in the last eight meetings between these teams, there may be value to be had in backing under 2.5 goals. 

The correct score market has a repeat 1-1 draw at St Mary’s available at 8/1 but the more conservative approach is to side with two or fewer goals being netted at 11/8.