- Watford form: Watford have won 2 of their last 10 games in all competitions, drawing 1 and losing 7.
- Recent form comparison: Southampton have won 5 and lost 0 of their last 5 matches, while Watford have won 2 of their last 5 home games, losing 3.
- Away form: Southampton have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last 6 away matches, so they are likely to avoid defeat at Vicarage Road.
Saints are on a roll and have Watford’s number
Saints' momentum
Southampton are on a real roll and could well extend their 5-game winning streak on Sunday. Saints have won their last 5 straight games and also have the better overall form of the two teams going into the game, winning 6, drawing 3 and losing 1 of their last 10 in all competitions.
Tonda Eckert's team are playing with bite, pressing with intensity and transitioning into a rapid attack whenever they win the ball high up the field. It has been an excellent formula for Southampton in recent weeks and they have the extra cutting edge to potentially make this a long afternoon for the Hornets.
Watford's situation
Watford have won 2 of their last 5, drawn 1 and lost 2, although there have been moments of brilliance in between a few woeful displays. Alessio Dionisi has them playing a structured, positional game in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shapes with lots of different variations to keep opponents guessing. But they need more punch in the final third and can be picked off on the counter attack if they are not careful.
Saints’ style suits current run
Tactical matchup
This looks like a match-up between Dionisi's patient, possession-based approach and Eckert's more aggressive press-and-break style. Watford will be looking to build play and spring forward at times, but if Southampton can force the turnovers in the first half, their tempo will make this an intense game in their favour.
Odds and betting
But as Southampton have the stronger form, the better odds and are unbeaten in their last 6 on the road, it is hard not to support them.
- The draw is 3.6, Watford are 3.15 and Saints are the slight favorites at 2.12.
- Eckert's side have averaged 1.83 goals per game on the road across all competitions, scoring 11 goals on their travels, and they look to have real cutting edge.
- A Southampton result looks the way to go but as Watford have conceded seven goals in five home games across all competitions, there should be goals in this.
- There is enough evidence to like both bets, as BTTS is short at 1.6 and Over 2.5 is 1.7, but the value is in BTTS and a Southampton win.
- The Saints have won 2 and drawn 1 of the last 3 head-to-head meetings between the sides, so have Watford's number at the moment, and are worth a bet to edge it.
