Southampton Vs Watford
Saturday 30 November 2019 – 17:30 (kick-off)
English Premier League
Pick: Draw
Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
English Premier League Betting with 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct as of 28 November 2019 at 09:20)
Preview: Perhaps not the most glamorous of encounters in prospect but a massively important one nonetheless, as the bottom two teams in the Premier League meet at St Mary’s. We still await a first home win of the season for Southampton, who surely won’t have many better opportunities to do so than this weekend against Watford.
Southampton Vs Watford Live Stats & Betting Odds
Southampton Preview – Excellent performance at Arsenal a catalyst?
Points are still struggling to flow. But Southampton (19th – W2 D3 L8, GF13 GA31) are at least competing once again, which was exemplified by a brilliant showing at The Emirates last week to draw 2-2 with Arsenal – a result that was extremely harsh on them after creating enough opportunities, quality ones at that, to merit all three points. A repeat of that performance this weekend, against inferior opponents, could see them claim a first Premier League home win of the season.
The problem is, Southampton simply don’t do good performances at St Mary’s. In six league games staged there this season, not one was converted into a win (D1 L5). A 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the end of August being the absolute best that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have conjured up in front of an increasingly disgruntled home faithful. Meanwhile Bournemouth (1-3), Chelsea (1-4), Leicester (0-9), Liverpool (1-2) and, more recently, Everton (1-2) have all come and gone unscathed.
Keeping out goals has been their Achilles heel thus far. Two clean sheets all season, and none at all at home, are both damning indictments for a defence that has shipped more goals than anybody in the division. As is the fact that of their last eight opponents faced, only Wolves failed to breach the Saints backline on more than one occasion. So if Ralph Hasenhuttl is to celebrate a first win since forever – well, since mid-September (D2 L6) – the chances of them shutting the opposition out in the process appear remote.
Watford Preview – Captain Deeney to the rescue?
For a while, the only thing keeping Watford (20th – W1 D5 L7, GF8 GA26) from the foot of the table was a hapless Norwich. The Canaries have since spread their wings, leaving The Hornets in a position more befitting of a side which has won only one Premier League game all season, which is in last place. Every other team has managed to win at least twice. Yet were they to double that tally this weekend, this dubious honour would be passed onto their upcoming opponents.
Just a point above them are Southampton, who they visit next, making this a significant fixture in the context of the relegation picture. It is also an outstanding opportunity to pick up some rare and badly needed points. Their sole victory of the campaign would also come in a similar encounter, beating struggling Norwich 2-0 a matter of weeks ago. But instead of building on that result, the exact opposite would transpire.
Burnley at home followed, which seemed like another presentable opportunity for Quique Sanchez Flores and his players. To then lose it, emphatically so, almost places Watford back at square one. Perhaps playing away from home is more their thing: their only win, along with five of the eights points they’ve picked up, would come from away fixtures, where they have taken four points from recent trips to Norwich and Tottenham (1-1). Moreover, having their captain and leading scorer from last season, Troy Deeney, back available will be a welcome boost.
Southampton Vs Watford Key Facts:
- Southampton have failed to win at home in the Premier League this season (D1 L5), with five of these games delivering on both teams to score.
- Watford registered their only victory of the campaign in an away fixture, going their last two such matches without losing (W1 D1).
- Both league encounters last season reached the same conclusion: a 1-1 draw.
Betting Summary
This is a bona fide relegation six pointer if ever there was one. The bottom two in the Premier League table, separated by just a point. It is a glorious opportunity for both sets of players to experience something they haven’t done nearly enough so far, which is win. Southampton (23/20 Unibet) are the favourites on account of them being at home I suspect, despite having not won a single game as hosts all season. Watford (13/5 Betfair) have enjoyed limited success on their travels but will be targeting back-to-back away victories after winning at Norwich recently.
Watford have picked up four points in their last two away matches, which is superior form than Southampton have managed all season at home. The Saints have played better recently, though, at Arsenal last week in particular although the spaces afforded to them at The Emirates may not appear against Watford, who have adopted a more pragmatic approach under a new manager. The draw naturally appeals, which is how both meetings finished last season.
