Southampton v Watford predictions: Saints can stay in the top half hunt

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Southampton v Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.

When to bet

Kick-off 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Southampton -1 on Asian handicap
1pt 11-10 bet365

Team news

Southampton
Alex McCarthy, Lyanco and Nathan Tella remain unavailable.

Watford
Nicolas Nkoulou and Ismaila Sarr are likely to remain sidelined but Joao Pedro could return.

Match preview

Southampton's strong start to 2022 has been disrupted by losses away to Aston Villa and at home to Newcastle but they remain in a healthy position and can boost their top-half chances with a victory over Watford at the St Mary's Stadium.

Ralph Hasenhuttl looked a frustrated man after Southampton's loss to Newcastle but there was a lot to like about the performance and it is clear that huge progress has been made since Christmas Day when the Saints were sitting just six points above the relegation zone.

Southampton can afford to look upwards for the rest of the season but Watford seem to be running out of belief in their survival scrap after 12 defeats in their last 16 league games.

The Hornets have kept three clean sheets since Roy Hodgson's arrival but they subsided to a dismal 4-0 defeat at Wolves on Thursday and could be on the wrong end of another heavy defeat on Sunday.

Key stat

Watford have lost 12 of their last 16 league matches.

Inside info

Southampton

Penalty taker James Ward-Prowse
Free-kick wizard James Ward-Prowse
Set-piece aerial threat Jan Bednarek
Card magnet Oriol Romeu

Watford

Penalty taker Joshua King/Emmanuel Dennis
Free-kick wizardEmmanuel Dennis
Set-piece aerial threatCraig Cathcart
Card magnetEmmanuel Dennis

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