Match Pack: Southampton v Watford

• Southampton v Watford
• Sky Bet Championship
• St Mary's Stadium
• Saturday April 13, 3pm KO
• White and burgundy away kit

• Referee: Josh Smith
• Assistant Referees: Matthew Jones and Sam Lewis
• Fourth Official: Sam Purkiss

Southampton are a familiar opponent for the Hornets in the 2023/24 campaign, with this being the fourth meeting between the two sides this season.

Although their 25-game club-record unbeaten run has come to an end, the Saints know a win on Saturday will be enough to secure a place in the play-offs as they look for an immediate return to the Premier League.

There is a slim chance that Southampton could do better than the play-offs. Russell Martin's side currently sit in fourth, 10 points off the automatic promotion places with two games in hand.

Their form has been inconsistent at times since the two teams last met, with four wins, four defeats and two draws in the last 10 games.

A 2-1 win over play-off chasing Coventry City on Tuesday night was the result the team needed as they look for a late, but improbable, push for the top two.

• Southampton have lost just two of their last 16 league meetings with Watford (W7 D7) but did lose 2-1 the last time they hosted the Hornets in March 2022 in the Premier League.

• Watford have drawn each of their last four Championship games; they haven’t had a longer such run in the Football League since a streak of seven in the Championship in March 2008.

• The Saints have scored the third-most goals (78) in the league, and like to leave it late. They have netted more goals (21) between the 76th and 90th minute compared to any other 15-minute period.

For a full statistical breakdown, click HERE.

Watford have no new injury concerns following the 0-0 draw at Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.

Absentees Jeremy Ngakia and Ken Sema will continue to be out for tomorrow's game, with the hope they will be in contention for the home clash with Hull City next weekend.

Southampton rested Jan Bednarek and Stuart Armstrong during the midweek victory over Coventry, with both in line to return.

Long-term absentees Ross Stewart and Juan Larios will miss out.

Tom Cleverley, Watford Interim Head Coach:

They are the best possession team in the league and also they’re very good at pressing teams so you have to be really efficient with everything you do, with concentration levels at an absolute maximum for 95 minutes or 100 minutes.

But they do give you a chance. We go there with a clear gameplan to win the game, not to just not get beat but to win the game. We have the belief we can do that.

Russell Martin, Southampton Manager:

Every one of the players on the bench, everyone feels they can play and should be playing. It’s a brilliant problem, but it’s not easy. It’s part of the job.

Everyone will contribute between now and the end of the season. It may look a bit different tomorrow, it may not. We shall see.

Overall:

Won: 27
Drawn: 24
Lost: 39

Last Six:

February 2024: Southampton 3-0 Watford (Emirates FA Cup)
January 2024: Watford 1-1 Southampton (Emirates FA Cup)
December 2023: Watford 1-1 Southampton (Sky Bet Championship)
March 2022: Southampton 1-2 Watford (Premier League)
October 2021: Watford 0-1 Southampton (Premier League)
June 2020: Watford 1-3 Southampton (Premier League)

The Golden Boys enjoyed an eventful win at St Mary's in October 2008, with Aidy Boothroyd's side earning a dominant 3-0 victory in part thanks to some goalkeeping heroics.

Richard Lee's first spot-kick save came at 0-0 after the keeper had brought down David McGoldrick, before Tamás Priskin gave Watford the lead.

The Saints then had a second first-half penalty saved when Lee denied Paul Wotton, with the Hornets capitalising through John Eustace and Priskin's second, all before half-time.