Preview: Southampton vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Southampton play host to Watford on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory could keep them interested in the automatic promotion race.

However, at a time when the Saints sit in fourth position in the Championship standings, Watford make the trip to St Mary's on a five-game unbeaten run.

Match preview

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Heading into the latest batch of fixtures, it was felt that Southampton had been left to settle for a playoff spot and that may still prove to be the case.

However, sitting 10 points adrift of leaders Leicester City with the Foxes and Leeds United still on their schedule and possessing at least one match in hand on the top three, Russell Martin will feel that his side remain in contention.

Saturday's goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers was deemed to be another two points lost ahead of facing a Coventry City side that have the quality to defeat any team in this division.

Southampton were able to see off the Sky Blues, though, as they prevailed by a 2-1 scoreline for just their fourth victory in 10 league fixtures.

Martin will hope that the hard-fought success can kick-start their campaign, as well as earn their 14th triumph at their home ground from 21 matches.

As for Watford, they are very much a team in transition courtesy of Tom Cleverley taking on his first managerial role on a caretaker basis.

The former midfielder has made the necessary impact, however, with the Hornets collecting seven points during a five-match unbeaten spell.

None of the games that have ended in draws have been against teams outside of the top eight in the table, highlighting the outstanding consolidation job that Cleverley is currently doing.

Another promotion-chasing team is now on their radar at a time when it is worth remembering that Watford have registered just three wins from their last 19 games in the Championship.

Team News

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Stuart Armstrong is in contention for a recall to the Southampton XI after making an appearance from the substitutes' bench in midweek.

Ryan Fraser could also potentially get the nod over David Brooks, but Martin may see little reason to make any further changes.

Unless he feels the need to freshen up his Watford side, Cleverley could stick with the same players that held Ipswich to a draw.

Emmanuel Dennis will hope to return in the final third, but Francisco Sierralta may have to make do with another place on the substitutes' bench.

If Jeremy Ngakia and Ken Sema are deemed fit enough to feature, they will only be selected among the replacements.

Southampton possible starting lineup: Bazunu; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Aribo, Downes, S. Armstrong; Fraser, Adams, A. Armstrong

Watford possible starting lineup: Bachmann; Pollock, Hoedt, Porteous; Andrews, Kayembe, Dele-Bashiru, Lewis; Asprilla, Bayo, Chakvetadze

We say: Southampton 2-1 Watford

This has all the makings of being a tight contest where Watford are able to frustrate their opponents, much like they did at Ipswich. Nevertheless, we feel Southampton will eventually make the breakthrough and fend off the Hornets' response in a hard-earned victory.

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