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Watford welcome Southampton to Vicarage Road as the Hornets chase a first home win under Claudio Ranieri.
Victory could lift Watford as high as 12th depending on how Brentford fare elsewhere whilst Aston Villa isn’t in action until Sunday teatime.
Southampton can climb to 13th with a win over Claudio Ranieri’s Hornets although they would also need Crystal Palace to lose elsewhere.
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Emmanuel Dennis is suspended for Watford after picking up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend’s 5-2 win at Everton.
Danny Rose is in contention after a calf injury forced him to miss the trip to Goodison Park but Kiko Femenia (hip) remains absent.
Peter Etebo (quad), Francisco Sierralta and Christian Kabasele (both hamstring) remain absent.
Southampton can welcome James Ward-Prowse back from a three match ban.
Mohamed Elyounoussi (hand) is unlikely to be risked and could join Armando Broja (ankle) plus Jack Stephens (calf) on the sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Watford are winless in their last five league matches against Southampton (D3, L2).
- Southampton are unbeaten in their last five visits to Vicarage Road (W2, D3).
- Both teams have netted in each of their last five Premier League meetings, with Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse netting in their last two clashes.
- Three of Watford’s ten assists have been produced by Emmanuel Dennis.
- Theo Walcott has been substituted more times than any other Southampton player in Premier League this season, having been substituted in four of his five appearances.
Prediction
After their five goal mauling at home to Liverpool a fortnight ago, I definitely wasn’t expecting Watford to go to Everton and stun the Toffees, yet they were just purely clinical with confidence and creativity on the counterattack but I feel like this is a game where they cannot just sit on the counter throughout.
Southampton meanwhile have been impressive lately with their quick runs and attacking play despite wasting chances, although the Saints’ defence did struggle with aerial balls against Burnley last weekend but produced a strong Carabao Cup midweek performance at Chelsea only to lose on penalties.
On that note, I am expecting a cracking contest between two teams packed with attacking ability but often wasteful of their opportunities on the front foot, but Southampton seem to enjoy visiting Vicarage Road so I am going for a narrow away win but a draw would be a decent result.
Prediction: Watford 1-2 Southampton
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