English Premier
2021-10-30 - Watford vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 30th October 2021 - Kick Off 3pm
Watford
There was plenty of criticism for the Watford performance in their heavy home loss to Liverpool as Claudio Ranieri took over as manager for the first time, but the week on the training ground clearly inspired a reaction. After conceding five the week before, Watford bounced back with four late goals at Everton last Saturday in a 2-5 victory that will have had the owners feeling very happy.
No one can doubt how difficult it is going to be to keep the owners happy and himself off the hot seat, but Claudio Ranieri has to be very pleased with what he saw last weekend. The three points mean Watford are up to 14th in the Premier League table and the 10 points on the board keeps them clear of the relegation zone. The Hornets have a 1-1-2 record at Vicarage Road and will need to improve here to avoid an immediate return to the second tier of English Football.
Watford had not won any of 4 games in all competitions and they had been beaten in 3 of those fixtures before the big win at Goodison Park. Now Claudio Ranieri will be looking to arrest the slump at Vicarage Road where Watford have failed to win any of 4 games in all competitions. Watford have lost 3 of those games and have conceded 10 goals across those fixtures.
Emmanuel Dennis is suspended having picked up five bookings already, while Danny Rose and Kiko Femenia are injury doubts.
Southampton
Ralph Hasenhuttl will feel his side dropped two points in the 2-2 draw with Burnley at St Mary's last weekend, but the manager has to be largely pleased by the level of performance that is being produced. They showed plenty of grit in the draw at Chelsea in the League Cup on Tuesday, although Southampton were beaten on Penalties on the night.
While they have been tough to beat this season, Southampton are 16th in the Premier League table and they have earned 8 points thanks to only being able to win a single League fixture. The Saints have a 0-2-2 record away from home where they have scored 4 goals, but conceded 8.
Southampton have not lost any of their last 3 games in all competitions in normal time and they have earned 4 points from a possible 6 in the Premier League to pick up some positive momentum. The side had drawn at Newcastle United and Manchester City in the Premier League, but Southampton were beaten 3-1 in their most recent League game on their travels at Chelsea.
James Ward-Prowse has completed his suspension and should be restored to the starting line up on Saturday. Both Armando Broja and Mohamed Elyounoussi are expected to be passed fit.
Head to Head
These clubs last met in the 2019/20 Premier League season and Southampton were able to win both League meetings.
Watford have not won any of their last 7 home games against Southampton and they have been beaten in 3 of those, including the 1-3 defeat in June 2020.
Prediction
One of the main areas in which Claudio Ranieri will be expected to improve this Watford team is the defensive performances, but they have conceded seven goals in the two games under the veteran Italian manager. However, Watford will be heading into this weekend with a spring in the step after scoring four goals inside the final 15 minutes at Goodison Park to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 2-5 win.
It is an important three points for Watford, but Ranieri will be working his squad very hard in training this week to make sure they are harder to play against. The goals being conceded in recent home games is a worry and makes it hard for Watford to pick up the results they are going to need, but they may be playing the right opponent to try and turn that around.
Southampton have been playing some very good football under Ralph Hasenhuttl, but they have not had the consistent finishing touch to that football. Danny Ings has moved on, but Adam Armstrong has yet to really convince at this level and it has arguably been the main reason Southampton do not have more points on the board.
In saying that, Southampton might have found someone in Armando Broja who can give them a cutting edge and they did score twice in the home draw with Burnley last week. The manager will know his team deserved more than they earned that day, but he has to be encouraged by the attacking performance and Hasenhuttl will believe it can see the squad turn in a few more positive results.
The two wins over Watford a couple of seasons ago will give Southampton further belief, but I expect the home team to cause problems too and this feels like a game that should feature at least three goals. In the 2019/20 season, both League fixtures between the clubs ended with three or more goals shared out, while 3 of the last 4 at Vicarage Road between Watford and Southampton have ended the same way.
The attacking chances being created has to encourage by teams, but neither has looked that secure at the back either. Southampton may feel more hard done by when looking at recent results, but I think they are playing with confidence and both of these teams may be more effective getting forward than at the back.
It may not be the most appealing game for the neutrals, especially not on paper, but I think Watford and Southampton will produce a fixture with goals here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Watford 2-1 Southampton
