Southampton v Watford Betting Preview – FA Cup 27th January 3.00pm
These two just duked out a 2-2 draw in the Premier League back on the 13th of January and this is likely to be a tight match up again between them. Both could use a bit of cheer that would come with a positive FA Cup run and it’s a good chance to escape some strife that both having been having in the Premier League this season. This should be some duel between them again after they both came through ties against lower-tiered opposition in the last round.
Southampton v Watford FA Cup Betting Tips
Which one of these will be more interested in putting together an FA Cup run? Both have issues in the Premier league going on at the moment and of them, the Saints are worse off, currently located in the relegation zone. They have managed to win just one of their last dozen fixtures now, that being a win at Championship side Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup. They don’t have too much scoring power in them and what they do have, it hasn’t been enough to cover up for weakness that they have at the back as well. Southampton have managed only two clean sheets in their last twenty games so something is seriously wrong there and they are going to be under some pressure in this one. Their home form is pretty patchy and across the entire season they have only won three times at home and they are D3 L2 in their last five at St Mary’s. The Saints have two clean sheets only at home this season, so both teams to score at Paddy Power may be worth having a look at in this one.
From the two Premier League meetings this season between Southampton and Watford, it is the Hornets who have collected four points. Southampton, after losing 2-0 at home against them, were actually 2-0 up at Vicarage Road just back on January 13th but they couldn’t hold out, crumbled under the pressure and the Hornets pulled out a last-minute equaliser for themselves in a great fightback. However, in the recent head to head Southampton are the ones with the advantage as they have gone W4 D3 L1 against the Hornets in their last eight meetings. At home, they are W2 D1 L1 in their last four against Watford now. This may be a real grind for both of them on the day but it is probably worth having a look over 2.5 goals turning up between after their recent battle and that is at even money odds with Paddy Power* (betting odds taken from January 24th, 2018 at 7:07 p.m.).
Watford have brought in Javier Garcia to try and turn their season around after sacking Marco Silva after their poor run of form. He will add stability over flair which is something that they need at the moment. Watford had so much excitement and promise about them early in the season, but it’s gone downhill rapidly. The Hornets have only a W2 D2 L8 record in their last twelve games in all competitions, and they are struggling. They took out a much-changed Bristol City side in the third round of the FA Cup, who were clearly saving themselves for their EFL Cup Semi final, before locking horns with Southampton in that league draw. Last weekend Watford went to Leicester in the league and lost 2-0 and that means they are just W1 D1 L3 in their last five played. The Hornets are on a five-match losing streak away from home, netting just the two goals in those five games. Looking back further their away form is W1 D1 L8 in their last ten away from Vicarage Road. They need to pull themselves together somehow and Garcia may well be the one to do that. This just looks as if it will be an evenly matched contest.
Southampton v Watford FA Cup Betting Odds*
Southampton 5/6, Draw 13/5, Watford 3/1 (Betting Odds taken on January 7th, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.)
Southampton v Watford FA Cup Predictions
This has to be another tight battle but just because Watford may need a little more time to get settled under their new boss, the Saints may be a bit of value to edge their way through the tie on home soil in a low scoring game. It feels like a bold move still, but back the home side.
