Southampton will look to find the spark to ignite their 2015-16 campaign when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road this weekend.
The teams come into this one on the back of quiet starts to their respective Premier League campaigns, with the Hornets probably the happier of the two sides so far.
Watford have taken two points from their first two games, after having to settle for a draw at home to a conservative West Brom side last week, and will be itching to get that first Premier League win on the board. Quique Sanchez Flores’ side need to learn to break down cautious defences, but Southampton should give this one a good go, so expect some exciting end-to-end action.
Southampton’s Europa League excursion may prove costly for them here, after they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Mittjylland on Thursday evening, and will need a quick recovery to go again here.
After the Saints’ less than convincing start to the season, they will need to perform far better if they are to take anything from this one against a Watford side raring to go.
Key battle – Troy Deeney vs Jose Fonte
With Troy Deeney desperate to get off the mark in the Premier League to prove he can cut it at the top level, Southampton centre-half Jose Fonte will have a hefty responsibility on Sunday.
Deeney in a determined mood has generally boded nadly for opposition defenders over the years, but Saints’ captain Fonte is an experienced defender who has come up against some of the best in the world, yet if he is off his game on Sunday, a rampant Deeney could guide Watford to victory.
On the flip-side, keeping Deeney quiet could be the key to nullifying both the home team’s goal threat, and the atmosphere at Vicarage Road.
Team news
Flores has no further injuries to deal with here with Alam Abdi and Steven Berghuis returning to the fold, along with Miguel Britos and Giedrius Arlauskis, whose suspensions have ended.
Watford Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Gomes; Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Holebas; Capoue, Behrami; Anya, Ighalo, Jurado; Deeney.
Ronald Koeman will be thankful that his players have come through that midweek Europa League game with no further concerns. Ryan Bertrand remains an absentee.
Southampton XI (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Soares, Fonte, Caulker, Targett; Wanyama, Davis; Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Mane; Pelle.
Head-to-head
Southampton have slightly the better of the head-to-head record, having won 16 of the 38 games played between the two sides. Watford have won 15 while there have been seven draws.
Watford have won 10 of the 19 games at Vicarage Road though, with Southampton taking maximum points on just two occasions.
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Previous meeting
The sides last met in the Championship on the 25th of February 2012. In hindsight, the Southampton team on the day is notable for including the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Adam Lallana, now of Manchester United and Liverpool.
But it was another future star that can take the credit for winning the game for the Saints. Future Liverpool and England man Rickie Lambert scored a superb hat-trick as he and his side went top of the Championship at Vicarage Road.
Lambert opened the scoring after just 13 minutes when his headed effort lobbed Watford debutant Tomasz Kuszczak, before making it two with a drilled effort on the 21st minute mark.
With the game put to bed, a fairly unspectacular period followed, before Lambert earned himself the match ball with a second-half penalty into the top corner. The Saints never looked back and gained promotion for consecutive seasons, while the Hornets improved and finished 11th.
Prediction
Watford will sniff blood against a tired Southampton side, but will know that they face a tougher test defensively than against the pragmatic West Brom.
Southampton score goals, but the Hornets will too when presented with the opportunity, so a score draw looks on the cards.
Watford 2 Southampton 2
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